KUALA LUMPUR: Think City Sdn Bhd (Think City) has allocated RM10 million to support culture-based economic development in northern Malaysia region in collaboration with Finance Ministry, as part of the Budget 2022 initiative.
Under the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme, culture-based economic development would leverage Malaysia's archaeological heritage by regenerating socio-economic growth and boost the community's cultural, economic and social capital development.
The programme aimed to achieve its aspiration in three areas - capacity building and advocacy, demonstration and content creation.
Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said Malaysia's northern region was rich in history and had the potential to grow into a sustainable cultural destination.
"Culture-based Economic Development is one of the key areas that Think City focuses on and we strongly believe that investment in archaeological heritage will attract the public and stakeholders to participate in the multi-activity programme which will link the northern Malaysia cultural corridor.
"Think City has identified potential nodes in the northern region to enhance culture-based experiences and will support grantees who can deepen and diversify visitor's journey and broaden the public's understanding on the region's cultural significance via the Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants Programme," he said.
Meanwhile, Perak State Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee Chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said the northern region's unique cultural assets could be leveraged to create a multiplier effect on the socio-economy.
"It includes the landmark heritage monuments, historical architecture, traditional trades, archaeological sites, rich biodiversity and cultural diversity to benefit the local community.
"This effort will boost the region's tourism and provide opportunity for the community-based projects and small players," he said.
