The Perak Government is committed to continuing to drive the tourism sector as one of the key drivers of the growth of the state services sector.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the ongoing effort had increased the involvement of more people in tourism activities.

He said the state government was confident that the proclamation of Pangkor Island as the tax-free island (PBC) beginning January 2020 would further boost the activities of the state's tourism sector.

"As part of the preparation, an allocation of RM9.1 million has been spent on upgrading passenger jets, cargo jetty and other infrastructure facilities in Pangkor Island.

"Besides, the state government has allocated RM4.5 million in the State Budget 2020 to drive the Pangkor Tax Free Island initiative including the development of human capital to ensure residents benefit from the tax-free island status," he said.

The speech text was read by Exco Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tan Kar Hing.

Also present were State Secretary of State Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim; State Finance Officer Datuk Zulazlan Abu Hassan and several Perak Government Excoes.