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the to update everything meters support for Due to the restrictive measures for the treatment of the coronavirus and for the month of December, the Minister of Finance announced during his televised interview, Christos Staikouras.
“Greece performed very well in first semester of the year in development terms and therefore had to cover less ground in recession terms, while the Greek economy’s dependence on tourism also contributed to the recession rate. “Imagine if we had not also opened tourism,” Christos Staikouras told ANT1, commenting on the data announced by ELSTAT for the growth rate of the Greek economy in the third quarter of 2020.
“No one can predict what will happen in March – April, as it will depend on the course of the pandemic,” said the Finance Minister.
At the same time, he referred to a series of measures to shift the tax burden on citizens and companies, in particular after the end of the restrictive meters, saying that they will be asked to pay them in various installments.
However, he did not confirm that there will be a new debt settlement in 120 doses.
As noted:
“A month and a half ago, the additional measures for 2021 to help society were 2.5 billion euros, while now they have increased to 7.5 billion euros.”
“One measure that has already been decided is Returnable Advance payment, which will continue next year. More than 400,000 companies have already entered the 4th cycle and large sums have already been paid. Indeed, there are many companies that have not been included in the Refundable Advance 4, since they either did not have a reduction in turnover based on the criteria or they opened in 2020. We will try to include them in the 5th cycle, which is expected to operate in the first half of January, he said. Mr. Staikouras.
He stressed that none of the measures taken to support businesses and households will be permanent, as required by European law and the agreement of EU leaders.
He added that when necessary, such as to business Attention which will be closed in December – there is already a network of support measures, such as the suspension of contracts, the full coverage of payroll and contributions and the reduction of rents.
At the same time, he pointed out that in a few months, only through the Refundable Advance, 5.5 billion euros have been delivered to the market, while a 6th round of Refundable Advance is contemplated for the spring, to help catering companies and others. that they need it.
In terms of road taxMr. Staikouras said that the extension of his payment is being considered and the corresponding decision will be announced in the next few days, while he said that the proposal to pay the transit fees is evaluated based on the months of use of the vehicle. and not a lump sum for 12 months, regardless of vehicle use.
As he underlined, in the coming days the Ministerial Decision on the heating subsidy will be signed, which includes expenses for other forms of fuels, in addition to oil, such as natural gas, pellets and firewood.
On unemployment and the fear that it will worsen after the end of the support measures, the minister. According to Eurostat, Greece has done well so far in the course of unemployment and employment support.
The Minister of Finance said that the State will continue to support employees and companies, with additional measures in the coming months, but balancing needs with social justice and a fair distribution of existing funds, as the state continues to pay its obligations to everyone (e.g. pensions) , while at the same time taking large amounts of support measures, in a period of reduced income.
Mr. Staikouras ruled out the possibility of “haircut»Of the debts of the companies, requested by the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Athens, Giannis Chatzitheodosiou, saying that many already have a hard time coping with the high cost of their stores closed with zero turnover, as even today 60% of rent and fixed costs, such as electricity, have to be paid.
