More than 16,000 businesses currently receiving the wage supplement have received an application for the Government rent refund scheme.

Through this measure, businesses will be receiving € 2,500 in aid, Malta Enterprise said in a press statement.

Businesses operating from more than one location and employing more workers can benefit up to €7,500.

The aim of this incentive is to reduce the burden on businesses and the self-employed encountered in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malta Enterprise said.

Malta Enterprise's initial email provides clients a link for the online application, which is divided into four elements:

1. The presentation of a lease contract valid before 9th March 2020.
2. Copy of the last rental receipt (including part of 2020).
3. To provide information on any financial grants that the business has already received from different Government departments to date
4. ‘Undertaking in difficulty’ declaration form.

All those who have benefited from the COVID Wage supplement are also eligible for this scheme.

The process follows the same method of interaction that customers have already become accustomed to through the wage supplement. If the steps are done correctly, the applicant will only have to wait for the confirmation email (Approval) from Malta Enterprise. After accepting this email, the applicant receives the money directly into his/her bank account.

Applications will be accepted until 9th October 2020

This measure is the latest in a series of measures being administered by Malta Enterprise specifically part of the Economic Regeneration package.

Apart from this process, since March, Malta Enterprise has also been administering the Wage Supplement scheme, incentives in connection with Telework equipment, compensation to employers for quarantine leave, as well as the refund on the electricity bill.

More information can be obtained from the dedicated site: regeneration.maltaenterprise.com or by calling 144.