Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1378870
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 MAY 2021 15 COMMERCIAL Consumers, businesses awaiting chance to use €100 government vouchers Economy minister Silvio Schembri urges all smartphone users to download their €100 vouchers online by 4 June PAUL COCKS TENS of thousands of Maltese and Gozitan citizens are down- loading the €100 vouchers on their smartphones via the on- line system. In just a few days, the four €15 red vouchers can be used in hotels, accommodation, restaurants, bars and diving schools and the four blue €10 vouchers can be used in retail shops, hair and beauty shops, sports clubs and gyms, muse- ums, arts and culture centres, band clubs and other venues. Economy minister Silvio Schembri told MaltaToday that he wanted as many people as possible to make use of the digital system so that they too could benefit from its advan- tages. Online vouchers: available anytime, anywhere The vouchers that can be downloaded from the app are immediately available on any- one's smartphone and can be used from 7 June. That way, they are available at any time of the day. "The app will also allow you to transfer digital vouchers be- tween app users or make pay- ments online," Schembri said. Having the option to down- load vouchers digitally will mean people will not have to go to Maltapost offices, when they are not at home to receive the vouchers. Anyone can download the vouchers by visiting wallet. vouchersmimcol.com until 4 June. The app can be down- loaded using the E-ID and password or by registering the identity on the voucher app via the valid Identity Card or Res- idence Permit Card, in case of foreigners residing in Malta. All residences in Malta will re- ceive a guidance leaflet in the coming days, which will facil- itate the downloading process of the digital vouchers. Those who, on the other hand, do not choose to down- load the vouchers digitally, will automatically receive printed vouchers at their residences, by registered mail from 7 June. Economic and social impact Schembri said that against the backdrop of the success of the vaccination programme – to the extent that Malta has now exceeded the vaccination rates of other countries – the process of judiciously releasing restrictions is also underway: the reopening of restaurants, eventually bars, the opening of gyms, and shops offering ser- vices, among others. "The ultimate purpose of the voucher scheme is two- pronged: social and the eco- nomic. Every person in Malta and Gozo who is over 16 years old as well as those foreign residents who have a valid residence permit are eligible," Schembri said. "From an eco- nomic point of view, this is €50 million injection which will stimulate the economy, through which restaurants, bars and shops will once again experience substantial reve- nues which will regenerate our country's economy." As with the first scheme, the ultimate aim of this second round of vouchers is to safe- guard jobs. "The public and businesses are trusting the good judgement of the govern- ment, which during such chal- lenging moments still managed to sustain its people, ensuring that no one would be left be- hind," he said. "And we will do it again." More job protection and job creation Schembri said the govern- ment was expecting the second round of vouchers to have the same effect as the first round of last year: for every euro in- vested in vouchers, the scheme should return another euro over and above that spent by consumers. In 2020, €45 million were in- vested in the first scheme and this left an impact of €90 mil- lion in the Maltese economy. This year €50 million have been invested in the second voucher scheme and it is estimated that it will return €100 million. Schembri said that last year's scheme was estimated to have provided employment to about 1,900 people. "This year we are in a bet- ter situation because with the availability of the vaccine, the level of people's confidence is much higher," he said. And with Malta being the first country to achieve herd immu- nity, and 1 June heralding the removal of masks for those who are vaccinated, Maltese consumer spending is bound to increase. The business sector deserves another boost By the time the pandem- ic broke out, the government quickly announced an econom- ic regeneration plan of €900 million, including measures such as the Covid Wage Sup- plement –which safeguarded a large number of jobs – and protecting businesses from liq- uidation. "Our ultimate goal has always been to maintain a healthy economic activity that has even led to the creation of new jobs," Schembri said. Malta has managed to maintain a stable unemployment rate compared to other countries within the European Union, which have started to see their economic sectors hit and the unemploy- ment rate increasing at a wor- rying rate. Maltese businesses managed to adjust to the current situa- tion have created various lines of diversification of their prod- ucts. "I must confess there were a number of occasions where I got emotional," Schembri said. "In the midst of a pandemic, businesses have continued to invest in their expansion, new products, factory growth, and penetration into new markets around the world, where liter- ally the Maltese product can be found in several countries, in every continent." He said no one could doubt any longer that innovation was at the heart of Maltese business. "This was certain- ly the moment when we had confirmation that the Maltese businessman is made of stern- er stuff, has built a reputation of respect and trust and that he is surrounded by efficient and highly skilled workers," Schembri said. Clear guidance to eligible businesses With regard to business, Schembri said that those who activated the Voucher Business App last year do not need to reactivate it, as their account is still active with the same login and password. They simply need to verify that the credit card linked to their business account is still valid. It can be easily updated through the Business App which can be ac- cessed through vouchersmim- col.com. On the other hand, those businesses which did not activate the Business App last year, can activate their account by obtaining an activation code from the section 'I am a busi- ness' on the same site. A new Business App guide is being sent to eligible busi- nesses by registered mail. New businesses which fall under the eligible categories as set out in LN 76 and 95 of 2020, can also apply online. Schembri said the ministry had worked with MIMCOL to improve the voucher system for both busi- nesses and consumers. Consumers can visit the I am a Consumer section on vouchersmimcol.com or call the helpline 8007 4904 for further assistance. Businesses can visit the I am a Business section at vouchersmimcol.com or call the helpline 8007 4950. Minister for Economy Silvio Schembri