A total of 43,000 entrepreneurs received state assistance through the Energy Support Programme for sole proprietors, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko announced.
“In total, small businesses received UAH 438 million from the state. More than half of these funds were used to purchase fuel for generators,” the Prime Minister said.
The Government launched the programme at the end of January during a period of large-scale power outages to help small businesses continue operating.
Under the programme, entrepreneurs received between UAH 7,500 and UAH 15,000 to purchase or repair generators, buy fuel and cover other costs related to autonomous power supply.
For many small shops, cafes and restaurants, pharmacies, manufacturing businesses and service providers, the support helped prevent operational disruptions, preserve jobs and continue serving their communities.
“The programme, which concluded on May 31, proved to be an effective crisis-response instrument for supporting small businesses during the most challenging period of power outages,” the Prime Minister concluded. (Government portal)