Question

Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry whether there are any measures to assist the self-employed tourist excursion bus owners who are directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and whether the Point-to-Point Support Package can also be extended to them in some form.

Written reply (to be attributed to Minister for Trade & Industry Mr Chan Chun Sing)

1. The $4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package announced in Budget 2020 provides broad-based as well as targeted support for workers and enterprises affected by COVID-19 outbreak.

2. Tourist bus owners, including sole proprietors (i.e. self-employed tourist excursion bus owners), are eligible to apply for the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP). TBLP provides additional cash flow support, allowing eligible enterprises to borrow up to $1 million, with the interest rate capped at 5% p.a. from participating financial institutions. Those that hire local workers are also eligible for manpower support, such as the Jobs Support Scheme. We have received feedback that self-employed private hire bus owners which cater to tourist groups may require additional support, and are studying how we can help them.