Jordan- Gov't rolls out JD448mln Covid package

(MENAFN - Jordan News Agency) Amman, Mar. 31 (Petra) � The government on Wednesday announced a JD448-million package aimed at mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on individuals and businesses.Announcing the package, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said the figure "is large by all accounts and within the government's capacity", assuring that the package will not increase the budget deficit. He indicated that the package supports the expansion and extension of social protection programs and is designed to maintain jobs in the private sector while encouraging employment.It is also intended to alleviate the impact of the crisis on public transport and businesses in developmental zones, the premier added, noting that the Greater Amman Municipality will take some measures to stimulate to construction sector.Moreover, the package entails relaxed collection of public funds owed by citizens and businesses and the postponement of payments on loans extended by government-run lending entities, namely the Development and Employment Fund, Social Development Programs and the Governorate Development Fund, until the end of the current year.Other measures include a JD30-million top-up of the lending window of the Agricultural Credit Corporation, Khasawneh revealed, adding that the government will inject a maximum of JD240 million in the market in the form of arrears to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, tax rebates and compensations for expropriated property. Khasawneh said he was confident that these measures will help keep the wheel of the economy rolling and will mitigate the impact felt by individuals and businesses. "We are still at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and in a very critical and sensitive situation in this battle with this pandemic", the prime minister said, emphasizing that "the goal and the top priority is to preserve the health of the citizen and to maintain the capacity of our health system, which is under severe pressure."The premier indicated that his government has already signed contracts and paid an amount of JD70 million to procure vaccines, stressing that the government will continue its tireless efforts to secure the largest possible amount of these safe vaccines.He underscored that vaccination and the measures already in place are "the only way to a safe summer during which we would be able to reopen sectors and return to normal life". While emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding public health, Khasawneh said the government, as ordered by His Majesty the King, always seeks to pursue balance between health and economic activity.Turning to the measures introduced by the government to protect public health, the prime minister said "they are important to address the current wave of the widespread of the virus in the Kingdom and elsewhere". He also added that the measures are intended to "keep us in safe zones with regard to the capacity of the health system".While acknowledging that such measures are "exceptional and tough psychologically and financially on the citizens, various sectors and government", Khasawneh said: "They are primarily intended to protect the health of citizens and to avoid scenarios that are worse than the epidemiological situation at this stage".He pointed out that the government would review these measures periodically and regularly according to developments in the epidemiological situation.Khasawneh said his government will step up its follow-up on prices in the market as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, assuring that the Kingdom's stock of strategic commodities is at "safe and comfortable" levels.He stressed that the government will not allow price hikes or monopoly and would use all legal and economic means and tools to ensure fair prices. AAMore..........More.........31/03/2021 13:47:59 MENAFN31032021000117011021ID1101839370