PUTRAJAYA: A total of 2,568 tour agencies have received financial assistance under the Strategic Programme to Empower the People and Economy (PEMERKASA) initiative involving an aid worth RM7.70 million.

However, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in a statement today said many affected companies had yet to receive the financial aid.

"Therefore, MOTAC will improve the eligibility requirements to ensure that more target groups receive the benefits," read the statement.

It added tour agencies registered with the ministry can access the information on the eligibility requirements of PEMERKASA 2021 via its website at http://www.motac.gov.my/PemerkasaMotac2021.

It said the application deadline for the special assistance is July 15.

In March, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a one-off special assistance grant of RM3,000 to more than 5,000 tour agencies registered under MOTAC to help them recover from the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

-- BERNAMA