In order to further help small and micro-sized enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households in the service sector affected by COVID-19 to ease rental pressure, the National Development and Reform Commission and seven other competent authorities of the PRC  have jointly issued a Guideline on 9 May 2020, which instructing the landlords of state-owned premises to waive 3 months' rent in the first half of this year for small and micro-sized enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households in the service sector who are facing difficulties.

To implement the above rent exemption policy, Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission and other competent departments have jointly issued an implementation plan on 6 August 2020, which shall be implemented upon issuance.

The implementation plan clearly specifies that the rent exemption period will be extended for one month for non-state-owned enterprises, research institutions, medical institutions and individual industrial and commercial households, which rent state-owned premises (including factories, spaces for innovative industries, office buildings, wholesale farmers' markets, stores, warehouses and logistics facilities as well as rooms for supporting services).

According to the Measures of Shenzhen to Support Enterprises to Overcome Difficulties Brought by COVID-19 issued in February 2020, non-state-owned enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households that rent state-owned premises in Shenzhen shall be exempt from 2 months' rent. The rent exemption period shall be extended for one month according to the newly released implementation plan. In other words, the total rent exemption period will be 3 months. Shenzhen eligible non-state-owned enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households may apply to the landlord of state-owned premises for rent exemption in accordance with the above implementation plan.

KAIZEN Group is equipped with experienced and highly qualified professional consultants and is therefore well positioned to provide professional advices and services in respect of the formation and registration of company, application for various business licences and permits, company compliance, tax planning, audit and accounting in China. Please call and talk to our professional consultants for details.