Victor Guzun, “Entrepreneurs will not stay without state support”

During the state of emergency in the republic, it was extended until May 1 of this year, the state will support Pridnestrovians, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large enterprises. Now they are in difficult conditions caused by quarantine measures due to the spread of coronavirus infection. Today in the course of the plenary meeting, deputies of the Supreme Council adopted in the first reading the law-in-draft "On state support during the state of emergency 2020". The author of the document is the President Vadim Krasnoselsky. Deputies of the Supreme Council, members of the Government took part in the development of the law-in-draft. A joint working group with representatives of the business and banking communities held regular meetings. Participants discussed proposals to minimize economic losses.

The law-in-draft on state support during the state of emergency 2020 is divided into three blocks.

Support of Citizens

Penalties for late payment of utility bills to citizens will not be charged. The norm will be valid from the moment the law comes into force until June 30 of this year. In case of non-payment until this time, the supply of utilities will not stop.

Individual entrepreneurs who have ceased to operate in a state of emergency will be able to receive unemployment benefits. Many of them continued to work remotely. It will become possible to carry out labor activities "remotely." State control will be strengthened in relation to the prices of essential commodities in order to avoid speculation.

Support of small and medium business

Tenants of state municipal property will be exempted by June 30 this year from paying rent in case of limitation of entrepreneurial activity. The tax authorities will be allowed to apply in a simplified form without personal participation. Fines will not be charged until June 30 for late payment of utility bills. During this period, the provision of utilities with non-payment will continue.

They will reduce the income tax rate to 2% for transport organizations carrying out the transportation of passengers on the orders of organizations.

Big business support

Industrial, agricultural, construction enterprises and service organizations will be able to get loans. These funds can be used to pay salaries to employees or to purchase materials and equipment for the period of emergency. Enterprises will not pay a single social tax in respect of payments made during the downtime.

Large enterprises will also not be fined for late payment of utility bills until the end of June. If possible, managers are advised to establish a remote form of work for employees.

These are the main measures adopted in the first reading of the law-in-draft today.

According to the parliamentarian, more than 26 thousand individual entrepreneurs are registered in the republic. In conditions when, due to the state of emergency, their activities are suspended, they can count on state support. It consists in the form of receiving unemployment benefits in the amount of 1 minimum wage (1647 rubles). In order to get this support, you need to register at the employment center.

The relevant committee will continue to work on preparing law-in-draft for adoption in the second reading. When working on amendments, the opinion of all interested parties will be taken into account. The second reading of the document is scheduled for April 8 as part of the plenary meeting.