This may be a once in a lifetime challenge the world faces with such a pandemic, spreading at an unparalleled speed. We all need to care about humanity during this time and be there for each other as much as we can. 

The economic impact of Covid-19 on the wider business world and the global economy is substantial and small businesses are seeing an unprecedented challenge to sustain through this difficult time. 

A group of entrepreneurs and small business leaders have come together and hoping to garner more support from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Indian Government as well as large businesses to support through this time. 

Some of our key challenges at the moment are:

1. Payment Collection: With large retailers shutting doors in some cities already, we are seeing a major challenge to get payments for orders that we have supplied and go beyond the agreed payment terms. Many cases even higher than 3-4 months.

2. Business Operation & Logistics: Currently with a necessary larger shut down in place, we are struggling to service any orders (Food businesses) and unable to run our factories in many cases. Several of our large clients have shut operations too.

The above are significantly impacting our ability to function effectively as a business.

Here are some of the ideas we have come up with and need support from the Indian Government.

1. Interest free loan for MSME's for 6 months 

2. Waiver / Delay on GST payment

3. Invoice discounting by government / large banks to support cash flow 

4. Help with enforcement of 45 day payment commitment to MSMEs from clients without the risk of losing business 

5. Cover 75% of staff salaries for staff during the period when businesses is closed to retain all employees

We welcome more constructive ideas and request your support to ask the government to help us.