Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1365814
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 APRIL 2021 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI THE Maltese government has introduced a new set of direct support measures to incentivise businesses in 2021 as Malta slowly increases its COVID-19 vaccina- tion rate. The rent scheme will be ex- tended by a further 50% over and above the rent assistance provided for in 2020; new applications for those approved under the Wage Supplement Scheme in 2021, will be accepted. New applications for those ap- proved under the Wage Supple- ment Scheme in 2021 will be ac- cepted. The Electricity Support Scheme will be reissued for June-August, to cover 50% of the total electric- ity bill. There will be a cash grant of €1,000 for those businesses that will remain closed beyond 10 May. There will be a doubling of the aid intensity cap, from €5,000 two €10,000 for implemented projects on business re-engineering and transformation, opened up for SMEs and micro-enterprises. Specific resources will be dedi- cated to support scheme take-up. Businesses facing serious challenges will get professional business advisory services, with costs financed up to €5,000 and also extended to €10,000 to sup- port a new phase of business in- itiative. Entrepreneurs will be offered the possibility to engage professional business advisory. Malta Enterprise will fund a spe- cialised programme for the men- tal health of business owners. Cash grants of up to €50,000 and additional 20% in tax credits will be used to assist companies to kickstart their investment cycle and develop niches falling under the European Green Deal, such as digitising of business and other sustainable development models. Investments made in Gozo will qualify businesses for higher cash grants. Tax credits already awarded can be utilised, with tax certificates due for expiry in 2021-2023, these will be extended by three years (2024-2026), with the injection of €87 million for over 8,800 busi- nesses. Passport papers Asked on stories published by a number of media houses on the IIP scheme, Abela said the Pass- port Papers are a "populist move" aimed at attacking the scheme. "It is rejigging of information we already knew about. We had good due diligence and we continued to improve it," he said. Standards Commissioner Last week, Labour Whip Glenn Bedingfield called out the Stand- ards Czar for issuing reports stra- tegically to hurt government. He went on to say that the commis- sioner should not be a former MP. "It is a crucial part of the coun- try's democracy, and we will al- ways seek to reform and improve it," he said. COVID-19: Government launches €20 million aid package to stimulate summer business Minister for Enterprise, Miriam Dalli