April 15 (SeeNews) - Kosovo's acting prime minister Albin Kurti has unveiled details of the measures within the government-approved emergency fiscal relief package aimed at supporting businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus crisis, the premier's office said.
The package, approved by the government at the end of March, aims to assist companies in covering operating expenses in order to ensure a minimum salary for all workers during the emergency situation, and to ensure that businesses are able to continue operating during and after the emergency situation, as well as provide additional financial assistance to the poorest social classes after the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The package includes three months of double payment to citizens covered by existing economic aid schemes, as well as three months of additional payment of 30 euro ($32.73) per month to beneficiaries of social and pension schemes receiving less than 100 euro a month.
Businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis can benefit from two-month coverage of expenditures for monthly salaries in the amount of 170 euro per employee, coverage of social contributions for employees and payment of up to 50% of rent expenses of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The package also includes additional payment of 300 euro for two months to employees in essential sectors who are directly exposed to the risk of infections. Grocery store, bakery and pharmacy employees will receive an additional payment of 100 euro for two months.
Kosovo's citizens who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis will get monthly financial aid of 130 euro.
Citizens living in poor social conditions, declared as unemployed by the competent institution and who are not beneficiaries of any monthly income will get a monthly payment of 130 euro for April, May and June.
The government will also provide interest-free loans to publicly-owned enterprises and a total of 10 million euro in financial aid for municipalities.
In an effort to provide financial liquidity for businesses, Kosovo will give 10,000 euro loans to micro-enterprises and the self-employed through the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund.
The package foresees an increase of budget allocations for grants and subsidies to the ministry of agriculture, forestry and rural development and the ministry of culture, youth and sports.
The package also includes 10 million euro in support to exporters, 6 million euro in support to business organisations registering employees with at least one-year employment contract and up to 2 million euro to support initiatives and projects aimed at improving the lives of minority communities hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
Kosovo had confirmed 387 coronavirus cases and eight deaths as of Tuesday, data published by the health ministry showed.
($ = 0.916525 euro)