Malaysia dishes out to raise profile
By Jonathan Kent
BBC News, Kuala LumpurMalaysia has announced that it is hoping to find a short cut to the world’s heart through its stomach.Its government is to try to raise the country’s international profile by offering businessmen cash incentives to open thousands of Malaysian restaurants around the world.
How about sponsoring this blog as a start, Datuk Seri?
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak says the government will offer cheap loans, tax breaks and help with promotion so that, in his words, “Malaysia’s name will be more renowned globally.”
This site is on Google number two position out of 5.19 million pages
and on page one of most keywords related to food names.
Anyway, I had written to the Tourism Ministry to enquire if websites like mine deserves some form of subsidies but nope, people up there are too busy for small fries like me. Eventhough, my site does come up higher ranking above the Malaysian Tourism Ministry sometimes. They told me I have to have a company registered before I can apply for grant. Like duh, I need the red-tapes, paperworks, lengthy wait etc. I’d prefer to blog freely and get my hosting fee through ads income gained from US based ads programme like TextLinkAds, Google Adsense and other sponsors. No one to gag my mouth or dictate what I say. Right?
Hmmph. Government usually releases these funds thru Banks, Development Banks and certain Agencies like PNS.
I have enquired before. As a rule financial Institutions do not Finance Working Capital and Set Up Capital for Restaurant industry.
Usually the will only allow these Financing for franchises registered with the Ministry of Entreprenuer Development.
So what are they talking about and who exactly will get the Loan. I dare somebody to call the Tourisme Ministry and find out. Cheh!
MARA does provide set up capital and working capital provided the business have been in operation for a minimum six months. If a restaurant can survive six months without help… hahaha…