SMC eyes pilot project to enhance trading at Hornbill Alley

SIBU (April 29): A request for funding has been made to the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government to initiate a pilot project designed to boost trading activities along Hornbill Alley here, said Councillor Jenny Ting. The chairwoman of the Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC) Market and Petty Traders standing committee said they intend to [...]The post SMC eyes pilot project to enhance trading at Hornbill Alley appeared first on Borneo Post Online.

Ting (third right) and other councillors pose for a group photo in front of Hornbill Alley. – Photo by Peter BoonSIBU (April 29): A request for funding has been made to the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government to initiate a pilot project designed to boost trading activities along Hornbill Alley here, said Councillor Jenny Ting.The chairwoman of the Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC) Market and Petty Traders standing committee said they intend to make the alley into a tourist attraction, luring visitors with culinary offerings and a variety of products.

“We want to uplift the concept of not just the night market, but also alley trading. We hope this initiative will encourage young individuals to begin a trading business in the markets under SMC, as the rental costs are low,” she told reporters after a site visit yesterday.She said the site visit was for councillors and council staff to assess the area to see if they had grounds for a proper proposal.

For the record, the roofed alley is sandwiched between Jalan Market and Jalan Channel, and stretches from opposite the Pansar office towards Tua Pek Kong Temple here.Ting said young entrepreneurs can sell food or other products along the alley.“They can sell sushi, ‘kompia’, fried chicken, nutritious food, and crafts.

It is a night market alley. In Taiwan, there is this famous Keelung night market.“They can trade either during daytime or in the evening or even, the whole day—it is up to them.

Our approach will not affect the businesses at the ‘pasar malam’ but instead, it will enhance them. This location is a popular spot for tourists.”Councillor Yiing Sy Huat (fourth left) stresses a point to Ting (second left).

– Photo by Peter BoonOn trading arrangements including stalls and number of traders, she said this has not been finalised.She also said it was important to ensure the walkways would not be obstructed by the activities.“Maybe some regulations have to be enforced, the walkway and what not.

So those detailed arrangements, we will have to come out after feedback from all these traders.“We don’t want to disturb the existing businesses which have been here for so many years already. So, everything has to be taken into consideration also,” she said.

She also proposed adding murals on the walls for people to take pictures.The post SMC eyes pilot project to enhance trading at Hornbill Alley appeared first on Borneo Post Online..