"Certainly after the third lockdown, several companies will not be able to stand on their own two feet"

POVEK Larnaca - Famagusta calls on the Ministry of Labor to communicate and cooperate in order to solve the multiple problems faced by small and medium enterprises, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it sent.

As Kyriakos Ambizas, President of POVEK Larnaca - Famagusta, stated in KYPE, "unfortunately the situation of small and medium enterprises is not good, since for the third time in more than a year the stores are closing, as a result of which we face many problems. "Unfortunately, the consequences of the third lockdown will once again be bad for the entrepreneurs, since from the first time that the retail trade closed and the problems that arose were brought to the attention of the authorities, nothing has been done until today".

He added that "the biggest problem facing businesses is that of rent, an issue that has been raised several times. "Unfortunately, the businesses are closing and everyone else is waiting to receive from the entrepreneurs, which is difficult, since since there is no collection, no one can pay anything."

Asked whether POVEK had contacts with the epidemiological team to give any alternative proposals, he said that "no one asked us" and noted that "despite our repeated efforts to contact the authorities to discuss the problems we face, "Unfortunately, they do not want to hear us and we do not even know why."

He expressed the view that "the epidemiological team should discuss with POVEK and the entrepreneurs, to report the problems faced by the various sectors, due to the situation prevailing worldwide with the coronavirus and to submit various suggestions and proposals. "Unfortunately, despite the efforts made, no one contacted, while letters were sent about the problems even to the President of the Republic".

I can not realize, he continued, "that they are not interested in their world." If, "he noted, small and medium enterprises are lost, then the economy of Cyprus will be lost." He further added that "we can not understand how some people can lightly say 'close your shops and businesses'".

To another question, the President of POVEK answered that "the pandemic started more than a year ago and after the first closure of the stores, we expected how and how to operate, since things were going better. However, when it seemed that things were getting worse, instead of those in charge coming and helping the situation, they closed the businesses again. "

He also said that "VAT, EAC, CYTA and the owners of the stores want their money, but unfortunately there is no money to be given, since due to the situation prevailing entrepreneurs can not support themselves."

Asked about the allowances by the government, Mr. Ambizas replied that "with the allowances they give us they make us feel beggars. "No business can be saved with a thousand, two or even five thousand euros." He added that "certainly after the third lockdown, several companies will not be able to stand on their own two feet. There are checks from suppliers from last year, but since there is no money, how will the entrepreneurs be able to pay this year or next year ".

He expressed disappointment because as he said "despite the fact that the problems are chained, however no one cares what will happen next with all these stores closed. We understand that the cases must be reduced, the pandemic must be stopped and people must not end up in hospitals or our fellow human beings must die, but those in charge must go along with the businessmen, in order to find the right solution for everyone. "

Mr. Ambizas called on the Ministry of Labor "to contact us with those in charge to see how the multiple problems that have arisen and are constantly arising from the current situation can be solved, otherwise the stores will close and we will go home."