Tunisia : The government will put in place social support measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on businesses

The Tunisian government will put in place social support measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on businesses. This is what Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi announced during a press address.

According to the official, the government intends to make available to companies that have suffered the repercussions of the measures taken against Covid-19, 5,000 credits worth $ 1,835 (5,000 dinars) each. These credits will be granted on “very affordable” terms with a one-year grace period for repayment.

In addition, the Tunisian authorities are planning to postpone the payment of employee contributions payable by the employer to the second quarter and provide financial assistance to businesses. The latter measure is subject to the registration of companies on a special platform designed for this purpose.

In addition, the Tunisian head of government announced a tax exemption measure until the end of this year. He declared that “small artisans and traders will be exempt from taxes until the end of the current fiscal year, without penalties.”

These measures are part of the policy to support businesses, hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Indeed, between the closure of borders and places of assembly, the institution of a curfew and the recent reconfinement of the population, Tunisia has experienced a decline in activities in sectors such as tourism, crafts and trade.

The implementation of new support measures should help reduce the impact of the fight against the spread of the virus on households.

Note that apart from this, Hichem Mechichi insisted on the importance of continuing the vaccination campaign for a real resumption of economic activity. As a reminder, Tunisia has already recorded 322,998 cases of coronavirus contamination and 11,556 deaths.