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Disbursement of subsidies to food business sector under Anti-epidemic Fund in progress
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     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 9) announced that over $4.3 billion in subsidies has been disbursed to the food business sector under the two schemes, i.e. the Food Licence Holders Subsidy Scheme and the Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme, under the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide financial support to the food business sector hard hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.

     The Food Licence Holders Subsidy Scheme under the first round of the Anti-epidemic Fund aims to provide financial subsidies to eight types of food business licence holders. Certified eligible licence holders are provided with a one-off subsidy of $200,000 or $80,000. A total of 28 540 applications were received under the scheme. Payments were authorised for 28 507 applications, with subsidies totaling over 3.74 billion.

     The Government has established the Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide subsidies ranging from $250,000 to $2,200,000 to catering outlets with seating areas according to the floor area of the premises, whose businesses have been hard hit by the epidemics and the social distancing measures. In addition, each eligible catering outlet directed to close the whole of its licensed premises under the directions imposed by the Government, including karaoke establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs, is eligible for a further one-off subsidy of $50,000. Over 9 000 applications had been received. As of today, payments were authorised for over 2 400 applications, with subsidies totaling over $580 million.

     In addition to eligible food licence holders, 877 applications were received under the subsidy scheme for tenants of cooked food/light refreshment stalls at FEHD markets. Payments were authorised for 868 applications, with subsidies totaling over $40 million.

     The FEHD will process the remaining applications for the relevant subsidy schemes as soon as possible so as to provide assistance to eligible persons promptly.
 
Ends/Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:13
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