Local Business Owners to Receive Much Needed Relief Funding

Local businesses on Montserrat will be eligible to receive up to EC$5,000.00 in business relief funding under the Small Business Relief Fund, effective Monday, 25 September 2023.

The Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) was developed last year by the Government of Montserrat (GoM) with funding from the European Union (EU) to provide financial relief to small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. EC$100,000 was allocated by the Government of Montserrat for the programme. 

This will be the second round of grants being offered under this programme where local businesses will be able to purchase appliances, tools, plant, machinery and equipment, building material, furnishing and furniture.

As an added incentive, awardees will be able to import their items duty free under S.R.O 29 of 2023 Customs Duties and Consumption Tax (Enterprise Development Scheme) (Exemption) Order until 30 December, 2023.  

Funding cannot be used to pay utilities and salaries, repair or purchase motor vehicles or purchase items and goods for resale. Additionally, persons who benefited under the Small Business Relief Fund in 2022 or under the Enterprise Development Scheme are not eligible to apply.  The deadline for submission of applications is 30 November 2023. 

Application forms can be accessed via the Government of Montserrat website or hard copies can be collected from the Ministry of Finance & Economic Management.

For further information, interested persons can contact the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management or the Trade Division.