© Reuters.
Ordinance from the Ministry of Tourism extends the grace period and the period for amortization of financing made by tourist enterprises in municipalities on the north coast of São Paulo affected by storms and in a state of public calamity.
The proposal, according to the portfolio, is to make it easier for tourism entrepreneurs in the region registered in the Registry of Tourist Service Providers (Cadastur) to have access to R$ 196 million available via the General Tourism Fund.
Most of the amount – R$ 152,675,484.78 – will be available to be accessed at Caixa Econômica Federal. The rest will be operated by Desenvolvimento-SP. The funds may be used to carry out works, purchase goods and working capital.
Data from the folder show that cities like Guarujá, São Sebastião, Bertioga, Ilhabela, Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba have around 2,000 providers of regular tourist services.
The text defines that financing granted to undertakings located in these municipalities may be renegotiated in order to extend their grace periods and amortization by up to six months.
In the case of works, the grace period can reach 66 months, working capital, 24 months and the purchase of equipment, 18 months.
In addition, financial agents will be able to grant the benefit of suspending financing payments or amortization until the end of the decree that considers the state of public calamity.
Enterprises registered in the Cadastur can access the General Tourism Fund, including accommodation facilities, tourism agencies, tourist carriers, event organizers, theme parks, tourist camps, restaurants, cafeterias and bars.
“With a strong vocation for tourism, the north coast of São Paulo has suffered, since mid-February, from the intense rains that resulted in 65 fatalities, displaced more than 1,090 people and made 1,346 people homeless”, highlighted the ministry.
“Right now, the federal government’s absolute priority is locating the missing and assisting the affected population. However, for a second moment, the Ministry of Tourism understands that it is crucial to guarantee conditions for the recovery of the tourism sector, responsible for generating employment and income in the region”, he added.