The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has highlighted the requirements and eligibility prospective registrants have to meet before they qualify to benefit from the Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience Program for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The programme, dubbed ‘Nkosuo’ which was launched on Wednesday, September 16, and is supported by the Mastercard Foundation is to provide loan and business advisory services for businesses that were badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But not all businesses may qualify. The Nkosuo program will focus on enterprises that are micro, small or medium as defined by the Fund Advisor.

So whilst the informal enterprises can be classified as micro only formal enterprises should be registered as a taxpayer.

Requirements

Applicants are to provide some documents as evidence to prove that they are not a fraudulent entity.

According to the NBSSI, "Proof of businesses operations, description of the business, financial details, detail of product and services, demonstrate that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on your business, production and supply chain disruptions, shortages and delays, reduced consumer demand for products and services, labor shortages due to social distancing regulation."

Sectors to benefit

For the sector of businesses who qualify to apply, the program lists, "Agric and agro-businesses, water and sanitation, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, garment and PPE, the creative industry, commerce and trade, education services, food and beverages, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, and technology."

The Board, however, clarified that businesses such as alcohol, tobacco and drug –related businesses, weapons manufacturing or war related activities, gambling or betting agencies and sex related industries cannot apply for funds.

How to apply

1. Apply online at www.nbssi.gov.gh/recoveryprogram or visit one of the NBSSI’s Business Advisory Centres (BAC) across the country.
2. Complete your application online. You can save it and come back to complete it if you need more time
3. Once your application is submitted you will receive a confirmation message via SMS
4. Use your mobile phone number you used to apply to login into the client portal to track your application and send any questions.

NBSSI has set Thursday, September 17, as the day to start admitting application from registrants.