Small Business Grant and Wage Subsidy Scheme now live!
VCCI is happy to announce that it will again be supporting local businesses to access the Government’s business support stimulus (post-earthquake relief). Please come to see our helpful customer service officers to receive assistance in submitting your applications from 8am to 5pm daily at our new office in Tassariki behind PVIS School.
Information about the wage subsidy scheme and business grant is below. Red Zone maps available or download here.
What is the Stimulus?
The Government is providing businesses with financial support. There are two ways they are doing this:
- The Small Business Grant (SBG) has been designed for those vendors operating at the mama’s market and handicraft haus, displaced by the earthquake – a 3 month payment of 62,000vt per month, covering January to March 2025
- The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) has been designed to support businesses that were forced to close or relocate with their staffing costs (minimum wage for full-time employees – a 3 month payment of 57,000vt per month per employee, covering December 2024 to February 2025)
Who can get help?
- The Small Business Grant (SBG) is available for any sole trader/vendor/mama who has a valid business license or permit who was operating in the red zone/s at the time of the earthquake
- The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) is for businesses with valid business licenses who were operating in the red zone/s at the time of the earthquake and continued to pay their staff for the 3 months afterwards
How do I apply?
- To apply for the Small Business Grant (SBG) please come to see us. Read below what you need to bring with you. Or you can fill in the form attached and email it to us for crosschecking and submission if everything is in order. Click here to download the SBG Excel application form.
Email address is stimulus@vcci.vu
- To apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) please come to VCCI. Read below what you need to bring with you. Or you can fill in the form attached and email it to us for crosschecking and submission if everything is in order. Click here to download the WSS Excel application form.
Email address is stimulus@vcci.vu
Small Business Grant (SBG)
Businesses that are eligible for the Small Business Grant are those that:
1. Were located in the declared red zone CBD areas including the main wharf and Wong Garage vicinities prior to the 17 Dec 2024 Earthquake
2. Have a valid license or permit (as defined below) that are registered and valid before 31st Dec 2024. The license and permits are endorsed only by either DCIR, PVCC, Department of Industry (DOI) Shefa Province or Department of Tourism (DOT).
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- Business License issued by DCIR or Shefa Province
- Open Food vendor permits or Handicraft permit issued by PVCC, DOI or DOT
3. Have one or more of the following:
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- Declared an actual turnover for the 2023 and 2024 of less than VT 4 million in their business license application; or
- Declared less than VT4 million turnover in their 2023 and 2024 VAT returns;
4. Submit an application form, in a format provided VCCI, ensuring all fields required are provided, including:
- Contact details for the business owner
- Bank account details of the business owner (or a written letter from the owner to confirm alternative payment arrangements) and a declaration that the bank account is active
OR - Payment by Kwik Pay by providing an active mobile phone number
5. Do not benefit from the Wage Subsidy scheme (businesses that are eligible for both schemes may choose which scheme to apply for).
Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS)
Wage subsidy will be paid to the employer as a reimbursement for the wages the employer has already paid for staff.
Businesses that are eligible for the Wage Subsidy Scheme are those that:
- Were located in the declared red zone CBD areas including the main wharf and Wong Garage vicinities prior to the 17 Dec 2024 Earthquake
- Have a valid Business License registered and valid before 31st December 2024 issued by a licensing authority
- Are registered with VNPF and have been contributing to their employee’s VNPF prior to 17 Dec 2024.
- Were registered for VAT prior to Dec 2024 and submitted returns in 2024
- Do not benefit from the SBG scheme (businesses that are eligible for both schemes may choose which scheme to apply for).
VCCI is assisting all members with applications. Call 27543, come to see us in Tassariki at our new offices, or email stimulus@vcci.vu
Please note that eligibility is set by the Ministry of Finance and not VCCI.
We look forward to being of service!
