translated from Spanish: Parliamentarians call for acceptance of a package of measures to support SMEs and the food industry

A group of parliamentarians delivered proposals to support small and medium-sized enterprises and the food industry, with the aim of enabling them to maintain employment and stay afloat in times of emergency, amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Senator Ximena Rincón stated that “we are requesting a set of measures in the vein for our SMEs, not only that the electronic ballot be postponed, but also that there is a soft credit package for our tourism companies.” Similarly, the representative for the Maule region, warned that another point that should be extended are “the issue of payment of different permits and patents, taxes that are suffocating our small and medium-sized entrepreneurs”. For his part, harboe stated that “we are a cross-cutting team of senators who want this country to do well and that we believe that along with social protection, entrepreneurship, employment, trade, growth is essential for us to have a better life.” Likewise, Senator RN, Rodrigo Galilea, stated that “the pandemic has had a longer duration and intensity than expected. We also believe that an additional effort should be made to support SMEs, in particular those linked to the tourism sector. We hope that the government will collect, implement and promote all these initiatives as soon as possible.” The measures identified to strengthen and save the tourism and gastronomy industries are:1.- The extension of the entry into force of the launch of the electronic ballot by March 2021;2.- Credits 18 months grace for the tourism industry;3.- Extension of the payment of contributions from small commercial premises and the tourism industry;4.- Immediate extension of the unemployment insurance law for work suspension until March of 2021;5.- Suspension of the payment of commercial patents, including patents for alcohols, and other patents for the operation of commercial premises;6.- Postponement of advertising rights of small shops and restaurants;7.- Special fund for the tourism and gastronomic industry, with direct contributions from Secotec-Corfo, with one-stop shop. In this way, Senator DC called on everyone to support SMEs: “We believe that we must now go to the aid of our small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. That way, everyone is going to be able to deal with the critical situation that the pandemic is causing,” he said. Finally, Harboe called on the executive: “We hope that the government will generously welcome our proposals and implement them quickly. Because good decisions are not only the right ones, but also the right ones and it is today that small businesses and trade require our help,” he concluded.

Original source in Spanish