Companies are concerned about shared support: 150 million. so far only 2 million have been transferred. euros

Companies affected by COVID-19, whose turnover has fallen by at least 30%, can apply for the subsidy measure by filling out their applications as of January 20.

It was announced that in this way companies can receive from 500 euros to 800 thousand. Eur, depending on the personal income tax (IRPF) paid, and there could be some 94 thousand companies of this type in total.

True, until most of the business – closed, the 94 thousand subsidies. the companies received around 1 thousand, and of the promised 150 million. EUR, of which – 50 million. The January budget was set at 2.1 million euros. EUR. These are the figures provided by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to BNS.

Romanovsky: divide first, check later

Andrius Romanovskis, president of the Lithuanian Business Confederation (LVK), spoke in general that to see such an amount of support distribution can be called incredible.

“It’s scandalous, I don’t know why it’s like that,” he said, adding that it’s very bad.

According to A. Romanovskis, grants should be distributed quickly, rather than waiting 20 days after submission.

There are such procedures that a minimum of 20 days elapse between submitting an application, and the maximum will have to wait almost a month. There are three institutions, as they are also inspected by the State Tax Inspectorate (STI), the Lithuanian Business Support Agency and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

It was said that a lot of control was needed, that is the option that was chosen. Of course, there are also problems on the part of the companies, because they have not approved the financial statements for 2019, ”he said.

According to the LVK president, the chosen subsidy distribution strategy is very important.

“A lot of criteria are set and then there is the pressure that everyone needs to be vetted so that those who don’t belong don’t accidentally get it. This is a chosen path with high barriers when you have to cross them and then the authorities have to check everything.

This is not good for business because the grant money must come as quickly as possible. Our position is to divide faster, then sit back and control, ”said A. Romanovskis, saying that the current invented scheme is complicated and the consequence is slowness.

“The essence of subsidies is speed, but it is not even a question of money, but of hope and faith,” he explained.

Romanovsky also said that some companies would receive very little support.

“I have small ones. Some companies will receive very small amounts. My neighbors have a cafe, so they will only get 1.2 thousand. Eur,” he said.

Support is still waiting, facing problems

Evalda Šiškauskienė, president of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, stated that the hotel sector has not received any support since the beginning of the pandemic in March.

“We will celebrate the anniversary soon,” he said, adding that as part of the first aid package, some commercial applications have already been completed and some are still being completed due to problems.

“There are many excessive requirements and complexities. We will try to merge with the State Tax Inspectorate (STI), because there are all kinds of nuances, companies complain individually.

There are many hooks in trying not to support companies that have 250 or more employees, which they consider large, ”he said.

“Someone, of course, has already filled out the applications, apparently, and has received them, but most are still waiting and trying to fill in, but until everyone receives it, here, apparently, the month of March will arrive.

Anyway, everything is delayed due to excessive requirements, ”stressed E. Šiškauskienė.

Arminas Darasevičius, owner of the Dine and Somm restaurants, said he had also filled out grant applications, but according to him the money had not yet reached the companies.

“We have not received anything yet. We filled for all companies, but we did not get anything.

We are waiting today, this is the mood. Wait and wait, and what you will do is not even where to turn. This is the order and so on ”, he commented.

Ministry: If the application is submitted correctly, the grant reaches in two weeks

According to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the distribution of the grants is really fast, but it is also important that the applications are filled out correctly. If so, a non-refundable grant can be obtained in two weeks or even earlier.

“The Ministry of Economy and Innovation is doing everything possible to get to business as soon as possible. The first trade restrictions started in November, but no new trade support measures have been implemented since the new Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė took office in the second half of December.

As a result, every effort has been made to save business in recent months. In record time, grants and loans for businesses – 150 million. 30 million euros for grants. loans. This is the so-called business support package.

These measures were distributed very quickly, as soon as they were announced, that is, on January 20, and a week later they had already received subsidies.

Today, about 12 million. Subsidies in EUR to 5704 companies. Those companies that have provided the correct information can receive their grant in two weeks or even earlier. The maximum term for the granting of subsidies may be applied in case of doubts about data or incomplete data “. Delphi commented Skaistė Barauskienė, Communication Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Innovation.

Regarding the possibility of starting to present applications to non-independent companies, S. Barauskienė indicated that the deadline for the second call should be mid-February. It was also added that the process for granting soft loans has already advanced.

“Loans for which 30 million. The total value of the applications received by Invega exceeds 25 million euros. According to the latest data, 89 contracts are currently signed for a value of 4.4 million. Euros.

A second business support package is being coordinated, with another 150 million euros. Feedback from the euro is expected, which was presented to the social partners, and will then be presented to the Government after consultation with the other state institutions. The second business support package is more focused on the most affected companies and those that work individually ”, commented S. Barauskienė.