The measure includes an injection of around PLN 570 million (EUR 129 million, USD PLN 146 million) in funds through the state-run Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) to support businesses by providing them with loan interest subsidies.
The new rules are designed to benefit businesses and individuals who have lost their jobs and sources of income due to the coronavirus, according to officials.
The legislation passed by the lower house of Poland’s parliament late on Thursday aims to protect companies, jobs, borrowers and local governments from the fallout of the coronavirus crisis, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.
The measure, dubbed “Anti-Crisis Shield 4.0,” now goes to the upper house of parliament, the Senate, for further debate.
It comprises another package of proposals as part of the government’s extensive relief and stimulus package, which aims to shore up the economy and shield it from the impact of the coronavirus.
In another vote on Thursday night, Polish deputies approved a bill to give a new welfare handout to people who have lost their jobs amid the coronavirus epidemic, and greenlighted plans to increase unemployment benefits.
The Polish government in March came up with a multibillion relief and stimulus package to mitigate the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Poland’s president in April signed into law a measure to offer further support to the nation’s economy amid the coronavirus crisis.
Polish lawmakers at the end of April backed a plan to expand the massive package of measures aiming to protect jobs and businesses.
Poland's parliament in mid-May approved more support to the economy as part of the government's “anti-crisis shield.”
(gs/pk)
Source: PAP