Belarus’ public spending to combat COVID-19 nears Br500m – Lukashenko
<p> MINSK, Jul 23 - PrimePress. Belarus’ state budget transfers to fight the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus has almost reached Br500 million ($209.608 million at the rate of National Bank of Belarus), President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting on July 23 to discuss the country’s economic performance and development. </p> <p> </p> <p> Lukashenko said: “The fight against coronavirus has already cost the budget almost half a billion rubles. This includes additional spending on medicine and funds to support the real economy.” </p> <p> </p> <p> Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, who attended the meeting, specified that the bulk of COVID alleviation funding was the incentive payments to health and social services workers - the so-called “COVID allowances”, which amounted to Br213 million ($89.293 million; $1 - Br2.3854). </p> <p> </p> <p> Besides, according to Golovchenko, in accordance with presidential ordinance “On economic support”, enterprises were granted loans worth Br145 million ($60.786m) under government guarantees and Br109 million ($45.694m) under local government guarantees. Approximately 36,000 business entities received tax benefits and preferences totalling more than Br31 million ($12.995m). Benefits through the provision of rental holidays are estimated at Br25 million ($10.480m). </p> <p> </p> <p> After the meeting, Golovchenko told reporters that the budget funds allocated to overcome the coronavirus aftermath have not been fully used up. In his words, “the enterprises, which could not keep up wages at an appropriate level through work were assisted by the budget. But in general, such a burden on the budget was not required because the economy did not stop”. End </p>
2020-07-24
Primepress
MINSK, Jul 23 - PrimePress. Belarus’ state budget transfers to fight the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus has almost reached Br500 million ($209.608 million at the rate of National Bank of Belarus), President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting on July 23 to discuss the country’s economic performance and development.
Lukashenko said: “The fight against coronavirus has already cost the budget almost half a billion rubles. This includes additional spending on medicine and funds to support the real economy.”
Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, who attended the meeting, specified that the bulk of COVID alleviation funding was the incentive payments to health and social services workers - the so-called “COVID allowances”, which amounted to Br213 million ($89.293 million; $1 - Br2.3854).
Besides, according to Golovchenko, in accordance with presidential ordinance “On economic support”, enterprises were granted loans worth Br145 million ($60.786m) under government guarantees and Br109 million ($45.694m) under local government guarantees. Approximately 36,000 business entities received tax benefits and preferences totalling more than Br31 million ($12.995m). Benefits through the provision of rental holidays are estimated at Br25 million ($10.480m).
After the meeting, Golovchenko told reporters that the budget funds allocated to overcome the coronavirus aftermath have not been fully used up. In his words, “the enterprises, which could not keep up wages at an appropriate level through work were assisted by the budget. But in general, such a burden on the budget was not required because the economy did not stop”. End