Acouple of Malaga University students, under the aegis of the Junta de Andalucía, have just reported back on a survey they undertook into take-up, in and around Marbella, of the various sorts of help available to small and medium sized businesses which are struggling.
One of their findings is that most of the businesses didn’t know anything about the various grants and subsidies - and the further from Marbella town centre they are, the less they know. This is partly because a lot of them don’t belong to the associations which would keep them informed. When asked why not, they say they don’t see the point of belonging and probably wouldn’t get any assistance even if they went through the rigmarole of applying. Nor do many of them have access to internet where such things are advertised on Town Hall websites - and if they do, they don’t open the emails which might be telling them.
The remainder - the one in five of Marbella district businesses which do know about the possibilities - are keenest on what is known as the “Línea ICO Pyme 2008”, a line of credit available to small and medium sized businesses. This accounts for 60 per cent of the demand for help in Marbella itself, rather less in Puerto Banús and less again in San Pedro. Other assistance includes subsidies for companies offering permanent contracts to employees, and various training courses.
Apparently, when it comes to getting approval, the Social Security schemes are quicker than applications for bank credits through the ICO plan.
| Help for small and medium businesses | |
|---|---|
| Subvenciones y préstamos | Subsidies and loans |
| Pequeñas y medianas empresas | Small and medium sized businesses |
| Ayuda para empresarios | Help for businesspeople |
| Seguridad Social | Social Security |
| Estar al tanto de las opciones | To be aware of the options |
| Echar unas instancias | To put in a request |
| Solicitar un crédito bancario | To apply for a bank loan |
| Hacer fijos a los empleados | To give employees a permanent contract |
| Dar el visto bueno a un proyecto | To approve a project |
| Un comercio en el centro histórico de Marbella | A shop in the old town centre of Marbella |
| La Unidad de Organización, Formación y Calidad | The Organization, Training and Quality Unit |
| El Instituto de Crédito Local (ICO) ofrece créditos en condiciones especiales | The Local Credit Institute offers loans under special conditions |
| Hay mucho papeleo, demasiada burocracia | There is a lot of paperwork, too much bureaucracy |
| Tienen que acostumbrarse a las nuevas tecnologías | They have to get used to the new technologies |
| Hacerlo todo por Internet | To do it all by Internet |
Liz Parry's Spanish Phrase Book is available from http://santanabooks.com/node/52
