PETALING JAYA: In a move to spur the retail industry, the government has allocated RM33mil towards “buy local” shopping campaigns.

       Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the allocation will be channeled to the Buy Malaysian Products Campaign, Mega Sales Programme and the Khazanah Alam Industri direct selling programme.

       “These initiatives are to boost the production and purchase of local products. The government is committed to support local handicrafts and natural products with these sales campaigns and will allocate RM33mil for them,” said Tengku Zafrul during the Budget 2022 presentation.

       He added that the government will also continue the Shop Malaysia Online and the Go-eCommerce Onboarding campaigns with an allocation of RM250mil.

       “The retail industry is one of those badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "In 2022, special focus will be put to help social enterprises, halal, handicrafts, agriculture and local entrepreneurs to switch to digital services.

       “The Shop Malaysia Online and the Go-eCommerce Onboarding campaigns were a success and it has benefited more than 500,000 local entrepreneurs. For that, the government will continue these programmes with an allocation of RM250mil," he said.

       He added that the government is encouraging the use of Shop Malaysia Online vouchers at business premises and the purchase of tickets for tourist attractions such as zoos and theme parks, as an initiative to support the recovery of the tourism sector.