There are growing calls from business association to chambers of commerce for the government to rejig the National Recovery Plan installed by the previous administration, as the situation is constantly changing, the authorities need to realise of dynamics of the various sectors. A single theory based on number of cases cant be applied across unanimously. This has been proven to be untenable and thankfully actions are being taken to change this application.
In the mean time, the business events industry which is in the brink of collapse and without targeted financial assistance to shoulder the strain, is requesting for resumption before its too late.
Under Malaysia’s National Recovery Plan (NRP), a 4-phase exit strategy out of the COVID-19 crisis, business events, or meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) are categorised as social activities. These are only allowed to resume in Phase 4 of the plan
Maceos President Francis Teo says the past 18 months of the lockdown the industry has been suffering, the lockdown may spell a final shutdown of the industry if the Government doesn’t recognise the need to resume business and its contribution towards economic recovery.
Teo adds that its time for Business Events to reopen with 80% of the adult population in Greater Klang Valley already fully inoculated.
Business Events are known as the economic frontliner driving economic growth in many areas through trade events, professional conventions, and knowledge sharing conferences where innovations, new ideas, and business transactions take place. Many businesses, from multinationals to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, utilise and depend on Business Events as their marketing and sales platform.
When the pandemic hit, the Business Events industry was the first to be immensely affected with event postponements, cancellations, and eventually a total shutdown of the industry. Malaysia’s industry players suffered greatly with revenue losses of RM4.05 billion since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
What’s needed is a strategic plan for the reopening of Business Events, said Teo. MACEOS has been pushing for the reclassification of Business Events as an economic activity — and not as a social activity — under the NRP.
The industry appeals for business events not to be compared to social mass gatherings. These events take place in controlled and safe environments. Attendees can be guided and protected comprehensively with strict SOPs.
“But, we can’t wait till Phase 4 to begin our recovery work. Unlike other businesses that can reopen and operate overnight, business events require up to a few months to plan and organise events.” Teo concludes.
