March 24 (SeeNews) - Serbia's government plans to provide up to 4.5 billion euro ($4.9 billion) in support for the business to limit the adverse economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak, president Aleksandar Vucic said.
"The programme will primarily support the tourism and services sectors, as well as other companies, the private entrepreneurs. We will also consider the situation in the agriculture sector," Vucic said in a video file posted on the website of news agency Tanjug on Monday.
He did not specify in what form the support will be made available to the business.
The government will provide assistance only to companies who have not been laying off employees, Vucic said in an address to the nation on Monday evening.
"In this way, we will motivate companies to keep their employees during the crisis," Vucic said.
Serbia has so far confirmed 249 coronavirus cases and three deaths related to the disease in the country. Health minister Zlatibor Loncar announced on March 6 the first case of the coronavirus infection in the country.
($ = 0.925497 euro)