LITTLE INDIA DEEPAVALI CARNIVAL

SPEECH BY YAB CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

AT LITTLE INDIA DEEPAVALI CARNIVAL

ON 29TH OCTOBER 2017

A very good evening and warm welcome to all Ladies, Gentlemen and Children. HAPPY DEEPAVALI to each and every one.

First of all I take this opportunity to thank the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang for having invited me to be with you all today for this Deepavali Open House and the Grand Finale of the Deepavali Carnival 2017 which was successfully organised by the Malaysian Indian chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang and the Traders of Little India Penang.

To make this Deepavali Celebration a grand success we the Penang State Government allocated a sum of RM 40,000.00 this year. By seeing the success of this year's celebration's we will consider increasing the allocations in future.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Indian Chamber and the traders of Little India Penang for their great effort taken to organise this Mega Sale Carnival to coincide with Deepavali. I appreciate your effort to popularize Little India and the products. I came to understand that the response was very encouraging and over 500,000 people visited Little India during the period.

The Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang had requested the State Government for the construction of a Permanent Arch at the Gate-way of Little India.

On part of our State Government, we had agreed for the said Arch and requested the Chamber to put up a proper paper with designs and costings,

I came to understand that the Chamber is working closely with Malindo Airways for a direct flight between Penang and Chennai or any other South Indian Ports. In this respect we the State Government will try our best to make it viable and make Penang a hub for international flights.

Finally I once again thank the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang, Traders of Little India and all presence tonight.