Bartercard International, the world’s largest Barter Trade Exchange, established in Australia almost 30 years ago, has pledged support to every Australian Business Owner or Individual that has suffered a business closure or job loss due to Coronavirus.
The company said it has created its own mini-stimulus package that will see every Australian that has lost their job or suffered a business closure, due to the ravages of Coronavirus, paid $1,000 in Bartercard “trade dollars” that can be spent with approximately 10,000 Bartercard small business merchants in every state and territory across Australia.
Bartercard has thousands of small business merchants in almost every industry category ranging from cafes, hairdressers, plumbers, bicycle shops, accountants and mechanics to giftware, sporting goods, tradies, lawyers and home maintenance to name just a few.
The individuals and SME recipients will also be given the opportunity to generate much needed income by listing their unwanted home goods, cars, bikes, caravans as well as business inventories, goods, vouchers and assets on the Bartercard trading platforms
The stimulus package, to be known as “Barter-Assist”, will not attract fees and will apply to all Australian residents that lost their jobs and have a certificate of separation or termination letter from their former employer.
It will also apply to all business owners with a prior year turnover of less than $10m who can declare they have been forced to close, even temporarily, due to the economic circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus.
“Unlike frequent flyer and other programs, one Bartercard dollar is the equivalent of one Australian dollar per the ATO, so we are aiming to make a real difference to people’s lives in these unprecedented hard times with these $1,000 grants” said Bartercard Director, Tony Wiese.
“Bartercard is proud to have supported business in Australia for the past 29 years and it is our time now to continue to support not only SME’s but the greater population”.
“We have approximately 10,000 business members across Australia alone who are now, more than ever, looking at every way possible to keep their doors open. Through our offer to the greater population, this will give financial reprieve to the recipients and stimulate more business for our existing merchants.”
The company said that individuals will be able to use the $T1,000 trade dollars for a range of goods and services and will be given access to the “MYBC” online shopping mall.
Mr Wiese said: “We have a number of our merchants who are now listing more products on our MYBC online platform in response to practicing safe distancing but still needing to generate an income.”
“Whilst we may not be able to support every person’s individual spending needs, we felt it of vital importance to at least reduce the financial burden a little for Australian families.” He said
