Decisions to support Belarusian economy branches affected by COVID-19 to be made throughout year

MINSK, 16 April (BelTA) – Decisions to support individual branches of the Belarusian economy that have been affected by the COVID-19 situation will be made throughout the year, BelTA learned from Belarusian Finance Minister Maksim Yermolovich in the parliament on 16 April.

Belarus carefully follows the steps other countries are making, analyzes the results and makes the relevant decisions. “I think this work will continue till the end of the year,” the official said.

The Finance Ministry is monitoring what is going on in individual industries due to the unfavorable epidemiological situation. Some industries are in quite a difficult spot. The Finance Ministry is working to alleviate negative consequences of the epidemic and help them.

The Finance Ministry has already prepared about ten draft enactments of the head of state and the government. “These documents are being reconciled with government agencies. Some of them have already been enacted and are in effect,” Maksim Yermolovich said.

In the package of top-priority measures the main efforts were focused on supplying healthcare institutions with everything they may need. “Now work is in progress to support branches of the economy and take care of social security of citizens,” Maksim Yermolovich continued. The most affected industries include tourism, transport, and other ones. There are plans to provide support with loans, temporarily reduce the tax burden, and implement other economic and social measures.

Providing support to small and medium enterprises is also the idea. Measures are being planned to help the enterprises honor their commitments to creditors and contractors and take care of the social security of their employees.