Tourism relief fund deadline for SMMEs
The R200-million fund was established to assist small businesses to remain sustainable during the coronovirus lockdown period
SMALL, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism sector have been reminded to submit their applications for assistance to the Covid-19 relief fund before the end of May.
The R200-million fund was established to assist small businesses to remain sustainable during the coronovirus lockdown period.
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The grant funding, which will be capped at R50 000 per entity, can be utilised to subsidise expenses relating to fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure cost items.
It is open to hospitality services such as restaurants not attached to hotels, professional catering, accommodation establishments and travel services, including tour operators.
Preference will, however, be given to enterprises with the highest score in terms of certain criteria which will serve as pre-qualification. A panel of experts will conduct the final evaluation in terms of functionality.
‘We acknowledge the difficulties experienced by businesses during this time, hence the need to support the industry and communities to cope with the negative effects of this pandemic.
‘Our tourism industry is comprised of mainly SMMEs, most of which are survivalists in nature with limited access to funding from commercial institutions.
‘We hope the support offered through the tourism relief fund will assure the continued survival of SMMEs beyond the Covid–19 pandemic,’ said Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.
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