国际英语新闻:Albanian PM unveils financial assistance plan to fight coronavirus effects

TIRANA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama unveiled on Thursday a seven-point financial assistance plan to help the businesses and employees affected by measures imposed by the government in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

Rama said that a total of 370 million U.S. dollars will go to aid health, businesses and the needy.

According to the plan, 25 million U.S. dollars will go to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection for necessary equipment and materials in support of medical staff.

A total of 100 million U.S. dollars will go to big businesses, which are unable to provide wages for their employees as a sovereign guarantee.

Sixty-five million U.S. dollars will go to small businesses, the needy and the unemployed.

According to the plan, a total of 20 million U.S. dollars will go to the Ministry of Defense for humanitarian operation, whereas 10 million U.S. dollars will go to the government reserve funds for any emergency.

Rama declared that all late energy bill payment fees will be waived for businesses and customers, which amounted to 150 million U.S. dollars from state budget.

Moreover, he announced the rescheduling of the income tax deadline to the second half of 2020 for businesses with a turnover between 20,000 and 140,000 U.S. dollars.

The prime minister said that there will be no salary cuts, except for the Council of Ministers and members of Parliament, who will receive half of their salaries.

Rama said the financial assistance plan will come into force on Friday.