Small Business Grant Scheme
Small Business Grant Scheme
The small business grant has been designed to alleviate cash flow issues and/or stimulate investment for small businesses, supporting incomes for small business owners and their families.
The scheme aims to support:
- established businesses (first registered in 2020 or prior), including those which may have closed due to economic hardship
- new business operators that have established their business after the COVID-19 crisis
Under this scheme, the Government will issue a grant of VT15,000 per month over 8 months (from May to December 2021) to eligible small businesses.
For the purposes of this scheme, any business applying for the scheme must have:
a) been issued a business license, fishing license or liquor license from the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue or a provincial government between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2021; and
b) reported an actual annual turnover for the previous year or an estimated annual turnover for the current year of less than VT 4 million in their application for that license.
Please read the following instructions carefully before downloading or completing the application form.
2021 SMALL BUSINESS GRANT GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION FORM
Instructions
- Under Section A, please provide your Government Vendor code if you have one.
- In Section A, please provide your TIN/CT number if you have one.
- Please nominate a primary and an alternate contact person that you trust and provide their deta4.
- In Section C, please provide the details of the bank account you wish for the grant to be deposited into. No cash or cheque payments will be made so please open a bank account if you do not already have one before filling out the form.
- All sections of this form are compulsory and must be fully completed with true and correct information.
- Please fill in the requested information into the designated cells only. Do not enter data into any other cells.
- Before you submit this application form, save it as the original file name with your business name at the end. For example, the file for the company "ABC Limited" should be saved as "Form SBG-21-01 - ABC Limited".
- Please be advised that if you meet the eligibility criteria below, you can submit an application in any one of the ways detailed below;
Can access a computer with Microsoft Excel (anywhere in Vanuatu):
- Download an application form in the format of an Excel spreadsheet from the website for the Department of Finance and Treasury doft.gov.vu (to do this you need to have access to a computer with the Microsoft Excel application)
- Fill in the Excel spreadsheet and take a scan/photo of your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active
- Submit the Excel spreadsheet and photos/scans of your business licence and the letter from bank by email, with ‘Small Business Grant’ in the subject line, to only one of the three following organisations:
- Any applicants can submit their completed application form and documents to VCCI at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Members of the Public Land Transport Authority can submit their completed form and documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Members of a handicraft association can submit their completed form and documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
No access to a computer with Microsoft Excel and located in Port Vila, Efate:
- Go to VCCI opposite Shefa Provincial Headquarters in Port Vila with your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. They can help you to complete the form. You can call them on 27543 for more details.
- If you are a member of the Public Land Transport Authority, go to the Public Land Transport Authority office in Port Vila with your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. They can help you to complete the form. You can call them on 7693381 or 5039377 for more details.
- If you are a member of a handicraft association, you can call Nadia Kanegai on 774 1059 to arrange to meet with her to complete your application. When you meet her, please bring your business licence and a signed letter from your bank confirming your business bank account details and that the bank account is active. She can help you to complete the form. You can call her on 7741059 for more details.
No access to a computer with Microsoft Excel and located outside of Port Vila:
- You can obtain a paper version of the application forms from a provincial office of the Department of Finance and Treasury (in provincial capitals) or your Area Administrator (in rural areas). You should fill in this form and submit it with a copy of your business licence and a letter from your bank confirming that your business bank account details are correct and that the bank account is active.
- Please direct any queries you may have to:
| Industry | Contact Name | Phone number | Email address | |
| Any applicants in Port Vila | Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 27543 |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
|
| Members of Public Land Transport Authority (able to get to any provincial capital) | Public Land Transport Authority in any provincial capital |
|
LThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Members of a handicraft association in Port Vila | Nadia Kanegai | Nadia Kanegai | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants in Sola, Torba Province | MFEM FSB Torba, Davis Pakoa Kalangis | 38501 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants in Saratamata, Penama | MFEM FSB Penama, Pauline Taribiti | 38001 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants in Luganville, Sanma | MFEM FSB Sanma, Lolin Rihu | 37039 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants in Lakatoro, Malampa | MFEM FSB Malampa, Marie George Theuil | 48400 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants in Lenakel, Tafea | MFEM FSB Tafea, Johnly Maukura | 88014 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Any applicants anywhere else in Vanuatu | Area Administrator |
See your Area Administrator/Secretary List below: Area Council list |
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (Small Business Grant)
Businesses that are eligible for the Small Business Grant are those that:
- Have a valid license (as defined below) for one or more of the following periods:
a) 2020; or
b) 2021 (registered prior to 30 April 2021).
- Hold one of the following licenses (and provide a true copy of this license in their application) issued by a licensing authority as per the Business License Act No. 19 of 1998:
a) Valid Business License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from relevant authority.
b) Liquor License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from relevant authority.
c) Fishing License Certificate with a certified stamp and signature from relevant authority.
No other licenses, permits or receipts will be accepted in lieu of the above licenses. For the avoidance of doubt, RSE/SWP/PLS agent permits, casino licenses, gaming licenses, lottery licenses and environmental licenses will not be accepted as proof of eligibility.
3. Have one or more of the following:
a) Declared an actual turnover for the previous year of less than VT 4 million in their business license application; or
b) Declared less than VT4 million turnover in their 2020 VAT returns; or
c) Been issued with a business license issued by a provincial authority that does not include a record of declared actual turnover from the previous year.
4. Submit an application form, in a format provided by MFEM, ensuring all fields required are provided, including:
a) Contact details for the business owner.
b) Bank account details of the business owner (or a written letter from the owner to confirm alternative payment arrangements) and a declaration that the bank account is active.
c) A declaration that all information provided is accurate.
5. Submit an application form as defined above before the closing date of 30 September 2021.
6. Do not benefit from the Wage Subsidy scheme (businesses that are eligible for both schemes may choose which scheme to apply for)
Download application form here