Myanmar Times | Most offshore fishing businesses received payments in the third round of the government’s second COVID-19 loan programme.

Nearly 700 businesses were loaned a total of K22.7685 billion under the programme, the government announced on November 18.

Inshore and offshore fisheries and fish farms in Tanintharyi Region as well as some aquaculture businesses in Mon State were included in the round. Livestock farms, food businesses, rice mills, and small and medium enterprises were also included.

Businesses that have been sued by a bank were ineligible for the loans.

Of the more than 10,000 applicants, more than 7600 were businesses in other regions and states, according to the Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

In the first round, over K20 billion was loaned to 1041 businesses, including more than 180 of them in Yangon.

In the second round, more than K21 billion was loaned to 1200 businesses through government and private banks. Under the government’s first COVID-19 loan programme, 3393 businesses were loaned more than K101 billion.

Further relief loans will depend on an impact assessment of the programme, said U Thaung Tun, minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. – Translated