In support of enterprises that have taken a hit from the recent COVID-19 flare-up, Futian District yesterday unveiled 10 relief measures ranging from rent reductions to financial subsidies, promising to provide more favorable policies to prop up the economy if needed.
The measures, which take effect today, aim to help Futian-based enterprises resume normal production and operations as soon as possible, Ouyang Huiyu, deputy head of Futian, told a press conference yesterday.
“While drawing up the policies, the district government hopes to address the common ‘pain points’ faced by all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — rent and labor costs,” Ouyang said.
To help enterprises tackle these difficulties, the measures include rent exemptions for companies using properties owned by either the district government or district-owned enterprises in March and rent reductions up to 50 percent in some other circumstances in March or April.
Individuals can also enjoy either rent exemptions or rent reductions up to 50 percent if they are tenants of properties owned by the district government.
In addition, the district will give particular attention to sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, including catering, culture and tourism, and construction sectors, and lend special support to the cross-border transportation sector that is tasked with providing supplies to Hong Kong, Ouyang said.
In this regard, eligible catering companies can receive subsidies up to 2 million yuan (US$145,000) for resuming operations as required or opening new outlets in the district, while companies engaged in cross-border logistics are eligible for subsidies up to 1 million yuan.
Companies in the culture and tourism sector, including travel agencies, cinemas, sports and entertainment venues, and hotels, are entitled to receive as much as 2 million yuan in government subsidies. Companies in the construction sector can get 200,000 yuan or more in relief grants for resuming their work as required.
The district will undertake efforts to provide other financial, legal and pandemic prevention and control services to companies operating in Futian, according to Ouyang, which include loan interest subsidies up to 2 million yuan to SMEs, anti-COVID insurance, subsidies on anti-COVID supplies and labor cost subsidies.
Eligible companies can apply online at https://qfzx.szft.gov.cn/ starting today.
The district government will pay close attention to companies operating in the district and take more prompt and targeted measures if needed to minimize the impact from the pandemic, Ouyang said.