Small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a number of associations attended a meeting at the Macau Jiangmen Communal Society headquarters yesterday to discuss the difficulties their businesses face amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, hoping that the government could provide subsidies to ease their burdens.
A representative from the food industry said that due to the “unstable” COVID-19 pandemic situation in Macau, many small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) “suffer”, adding that eateries are forced to switch to a new operation method, such as providing a food delivery service and handing out vouchers, but it still could not ease the burden. The representative also said that dim sum restaurants rely on bookings from larger groups, so under the current COVID-19 situation the government should launch a new round of e-benefits to subsidise residents.
Meanwhile, a representative from the beauty industry said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, beauty salons have been the first to close down due to expensive rents and other rising expenses. The representative hoped that the government could pay more attention to the industry.
A representative from the tourism industry said that due to the “instability” of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the transportation and other industries related to tourism are also affected, hoping that the government could “lend a helping hand”.
Representatives from different SME sectors and associations gather to voice their difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Macau Jiangmen Communal Society headquarters. Photo courtesy of TDM
