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Polish parliament OKs more help for firms hurt by virus

15.05.2020 07:10
Poland’s parliament has definitively approved a plan to expand a massive relief and stimulus package of measures aiming to shield the economy from the coronavirus pandemic. 
The lower house of Polands parliament is in session on Thursday evening amid coronavirus precautions.
The lower house of Poland's parliament is in session on Thursday evening amid coronavirus precautions.Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara

The planned new effort includes an injection of up to PLN 900 million (EUR 198 million, USD PLN 217 million) in new funds to support businesses through the state-run Industrial Development Agency.

The plan also includes financial support for rail and bus operators to help them weather the coronavirus crisis.

In addition, the legislation carries a new levy on online video-on-demand operators that would benefit the Polish Film Institute, state news agency PAP reported.

Polish MPs late on Thursday voted to back the planned new measures, overriding 47 of 87 modifications introduced earlier by the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

The measure, dubbed Anti-Crisis Shield 3.0, now goes to President Andrzej Duda for signing into law.

The Polish president at the end of March signed into effect a multibillion relief and stimulus package aiming to shore up the economy and shield the nation from the impact of an intensifying coronavirus outbreak.

President Duda last month signed into law a measure to offer further support to the nation’s economy amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in early April unveiled plans to throw a lifeline of at least PLN 100 billion (USD 24 billion, EUR 22 billion) to businesses hit by the coronavirus epidemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Jadwiga Emilewicz said last month the government in Warsaw was readying a fresh package of measures to protect jobs and “keep the pulse of the economy going” amid the disruption.

The EU executive said on Monday it had approved a Polish plan to offer EUR 450 million worth of state aid to companies hit by the coronavirus.

A total of 17,615 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 883 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Thursday afternoon.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR, PAP