Ministers present social and economic measures related to Covid-19 crisis

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva on May 15 presented up-to-date information related to the social and economic measures taken to overcome the consequences of the spread of COVID-19 in Bulgaria.

Yesterday a scheme for free financing of micro and small enterprises electronically was launched. As of yesterday at 10.00, 16,500 projects worth BGN 136 million have been submitted so far, said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev.

Applications continue to be accepted.

The scheme remains open as long as funding is available, because we believe this is the way the money to get to those who need it, Donchev said.

European money under the OP "Innovation and Competitiveness" will reach companies that have not had access to them so far. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the companies did not have great difficulties with the eased submission of documents.

Until May 13, only 2,200 Bulgarians have taken loans of up to BGN 4,500. The reason - the loans are only now coming on the market, said Deputy Prime Minister Donchev. Currently, 6 banks are working with them. The expectations are to become 12. The money is provided, and a wider circle of people will take advantage of it, Minister Karanikolov said. He explained that there will be some relief and changes in applying for these loans.

The Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov promised that a new financial resource is envisaged under this programme. The Bulgarian Development Bank presents various products, he added. 10 banks in our country have approved projects - nearly 1,300 applications have been submitted for loans, he added.

42,000 people in 24 municipalities use the social care services, which helps lonely elderly people and Bulgarians under quarantine, buying food for them and paying their bills, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva said.

As of March 30, 1498 people who have no income and are without health insurance have received hospital treatment to the cost of a total of 1 million 650 thousand BGN.

The distribution of the second tranche of foods started yesterday - over 26,000 people will receive 450 tonnes of food.

108 tablets were distributed to children who need access to digital education. 3753 applications have been submitted under the measure for assistance to parents on unpaid leave, and the measure will continue to operate as long as necessary, funding is provided until the end of the year.

30 more days of unpaid leave will be recognized as work experience. So now 60 days of unpaid leave will be considered as work experience.

"As regards unemployment, we had 201,000 unemployed as of March 13. To date, they are 300,776 people, more than 28,000 have found jobs and started work," Sacheva said.

Unemployment has risen by 99,755 since the beginning of the crisis.

It is too early to draw general conclusions about the 60/40 measure, whether it is successful or not, Sacheva said. According to her, from June 30 it will be transformed, and with new features. At the moment, small and medium-sized companies receive funds under it.

Under OP "Human Resources" there are BGN 120 million, which are provided for subsidized employment. The funds are for those who have already lost their jobs to be returned to the relevant sectors. This measure is currently being developed and will be announced soon, probably in the second week of June, said Minister Sacheva.

All social payments - unemployment, personal assistants, pensions, child benefits, etc. are guaranteed, she noted.

From July 1, pensions go up by 6.6%, with the minimum pension in the country becoming BGN 250.

3753 families have received a one-time grant of BGN 375, for which BGN 20 million have been allocated, added the Minister of Social Affairs Denitsa Sacheva.