Coronavirus: Cabinet approves support for businesses (updated)

The cabinet on Thursday approved revised schemes to support businesses including direct grants and state-backed loans and afforded incentives to property owners to cut rents.

Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said the cabinet approved grants for stricken small businesses, with up to 10 staff, and the self-employed. These are expected to benefit some 40,000 businesses.
Petrides said the scheme provided for cash handouts to small businesses that either fully or partially suspended their operations.

Those that fully suspended business until May 3 would receive €2,625 and after that date, €3,500.

Partially suspended businesses until May 3 would get €1,875. Those in partial suspension after May 3 would receive €2,500.

The self-employed who have not worked until May 3 would receive €1,125 and after that date €1,500.

It also approved €1.5bn in state-backed loans: €300m for small businesses with up to 10 staff, €1bn for small and medium enterprises, and €200m for larger entities.

Duration of the loans would be between three months and six years with favourable interest rates, the ministers said.

Petrides said he expected some €6bn to be channelled to businesses through the scheme.

The government also approved a bill affording tax breaks to property owners who cut rents.

The minister said they were giving a 50 per cent tax break on the amount of reduction that should be between 30 per cent and 50 per cent.

The measures must be approved by parliament and the European Commission.

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