Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (MTEA) has proposed a plan to take a loan of around Ks 50 billion from the government in order to avoid the unemployment of thousands of skilled workers in the Covid-19 hit local tourism industry, said U Naung Naung Han, Chair of the MTEA, at a meeting on the economic remedy for Covid-19 at UMFCCI on 17 March. 

“Currently, tourism companies have no jobs for six months. The industry sees economic impacts. There is no way to recover. Tourism companies can continue to survive if the government bolsters up them. During this period, they need around Ks 50 million to pay salaries. They will be okay if the government grants loans to them. (even if they get loans) they may face difficulties in repaying their loans to the government, he added.

“The association has 1,100 member companies. The association needs around 35 million US dollars. The government’s factory project can cost a hundred million dollars. The factory can employ at most 1000 workers. I would like to request the government to provide assistance to save thousands of skilled workers in the industry, he continued. 

In the wake of the global outbreak of Covid-19, the local tourism industry has seen a dramatic drop of 80 per cent. 

The association called on the government to grant zero-interest loans and postpone the tax repayment period. 

Due to the Covid-19, the number of tourist arrivals at Yangon International Airport has declined by half compared with the same period last year. 

U Kyaw Min Oo, Secretary of Myanmar Hoteliers Association said: “More than 60 hoteliers have proposed to take zero-interest loans from the government in order not to lay off experienced staff.”

There have been no confirmed cases in Myanmar yet. The government has temporarily banned mass gatherings, events, festivals and ordered to close schools, bars, and Karaoke Bars till 30 April.