Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry waives new member fees as businesses feel effects of coronavirus and bushfires
Businesses have been hit hard by the effects of drought, bushfires and now the coronavirus. So Victoria’s peak employer body is offering help through a special incentive.
VIC News
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Victorian businesses have been urged to unite and control their destinies amid threats from coronavirus, bushfires and drought.
Peak business body the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has waived annual membership fees up to $700 in a bid to lure more firms on board as they deal with the fallout of the health and environmental crises.
Existing members will get a $500 credit for extra training and services.
New chamber chief executive Paul Guerra said that businesses needed help, but also wanted advice on how to help themselves.
“Businesses are telling me ‘We’re delighted with what the government’s doing, but it’s not just the government’s responsibility to get us back, we have to control our destiny,’” he said.
“If we give them access to our helpline, to training, to the tools and templates that’s a good start.”
Mr Guerra, who most recently ran the Royal Melbourne Show and is a former telco executive, said it was vital to act with the effects of COVID-19, the recent bushfires and prolonged drought.
“We estimate 97 per cent of business have been hit — when the borders open again how ready are we to bounce back,” he said.
“We want to bring businesses, politicians and other interested parties together to sort through what’s happening in different areas.”
The chamber will stage roadshows across metro and regional areas, and hold a board meeting in the country this year.
Owner of CBD restaurant The George, Greg Kahan, said businesses were feeling the pinch.
“You expect to work hard and be responsible for your own success,” he said.
“But when factors out of your control are impacting your business you’ve got to use all the support you can get like chamber services to position you and your business for the future.”
Mr Guerra said that firms with consultancy services had already offered help to those businesses in places getting “smashed”.
The City of Melbourne has offered to bring banks and other financial firms together with affected businesses.