SIBU: Pasar Sentral Sibu (PSS) is expected to draw more foreign tourists following the launch of Sibu-Singapore flights recently.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek said the direct route from Singapore to Sibu will boost the operations of the market, which has been affected in the past months.
“We hope that the Singapore Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATOS) can help promote Sibu Central Market to foreign tourists,” he told reporters after handing over allocation cheques for minor rural projects (MRP) to three PSS hawker associations.
Chieng said PSS is the largest market in Sarawak with some 1,000 vendors selling a variety of unique products and it is crucial to be included as one of the must-visit places in Sarawak’s tourism package for foreigners.
“We can make this (Sibu Central Market) as an attraction for tourists by STATOS, to be promoted,” he added.
In addition to international flights, he described Sibu as the gateway to the central region that also connects the nearest cities with a road network.
Chieng said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many hawkers experienced a decline in their business and reduced income.
“Fortunately, the government under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has ensured that a lot of assistance is channelled to those in need, especially hawkers,” he said.
With the reopening of the economy, hawkers at PSS can operate as usual and can use the MRP funds to expand their business, he said.
“We hope this allocation will be used for their welfare and also as incentives to members’ children who obtained excellent results in public examinations,” he stated.
The three MRP funds were granted to Sibu Division Hawkers Welfare Association, the Sibu Small Shop Owners Association and the Sibu Division Hawkers Association.
It was reported earlier that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin had stated that the number of travellers and visitors to and from Singapore is anticipated to increase following the frequency of the newly-launched Sibu-Singapore flights.
AirAsia operates the Singapore-Sibu-Singapore sector four times weekly on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday as the republic is one of Sarawak’s key trading partners.
Sarawak’s exports to Singapore in 2021 stood at RM1.28bil compared with only RM1bil in 2020. Imports from the republic increased to RM1.7bil in 2021 against RM1.17bil in 2020.
