Macao’s small businesses are feeling the drastic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and crying out for help.
Representatives from small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a number of associations spoke up at a meeting of the Macau Jiangmen Communal Society yesterday, lamenting the difficulties their businesses currently face, and calling on the government to provide subsidies to ease their burdens.
A representative from the food industry said that due to the “unstable” situation in Macao, many SMEs “suffer”, adding that eateries are forced to switch to new operation methods, such as providing a food delivery service and handing out vouchers, although it still could not ease their burden.
The representative added that dim sum restaurants rely on bookings from larger groups, so given the current Covid-19 situation the government should launch a new round of e-benefits to subsidise residents.
A representative from the beauty industry said that since the pandemic hit Macao, beauty salons have been the first to close down due to expensive rents and other rising costs. The representative called on the government to pay more attention to the industry.
A representative from the tourism industry said that due to Covid-19, the transportation and other industries related to tourism are also affected, and stressed that the government should “lend a helping hand”, The Macau Post Daily reported.
