The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce estimates up to 150 of the region's small businesses will fold if they're not given Government assistance to relocate from their earthquake-stricken premises.
A group of small business owners in earthquake stricken Canterbury say they need a one hundred million dollar cash injection if they are to make it into the New Year.
Many small businesses in Canterbury are struggling to stay afloat after the earthquake and an insurance and risk management consultant, John Sloan, says one problem is the long wait to get insurance money.
The Australian-owned, ANZ Bank, is betting small and medium sized firms will drive earnings next year, bolstered by the Rugby World Cup and rebuilding of the earthquake-hit Canterbury region.
The Government will be asked to provide special funding to help save small Christchurch businesses facing ruin after the earthquake.