Covid-19, a new type of coronavirus first detected on December 12, 2019 in Wuhan, China, has caused a global pandemic. As of today, it has infected more than 8 million people around the globe, and it is spreading rapidly almost in all countries.
The Investment Office sends its heartfelt condolences to people who have lost their lives due to the pandemic, and wish a quick recovery for those infected.
Thanks to the great transformation Turkey has made in the fields of services and infrastructure during the past 17 years, Turkey is well prepared to face this pandemic.
Turkey has been managing the Covid-19 situation since its inception. Policymakers, regulators, and all economic authorities are vigilantly following the developments and are taking all necessary measures to reassure the markets.
ECONOMIC STABILITY SHIELD PROGRAM
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a TRY 100 billion-Economic Stability Shield program on March 19. The package aims to secure employment, bolster the real sector, and address the prevailing concerns on liquidity and financing in the market.
- Tax declaration, VAT discount, and social security payments for April, May, and June have been postponed for a period of 6 months in the following sectors: retail, iron & steel, automotive, logistics, transportation, cinema & theater, accommodation, food & beverage, textile, and event organization.
- Accommodation tax will be delayed until November.
- The easement rights and revenue share payments related to hotel rentals for April, May, and June have been postponed for a period of 6 months.
- VAT has been lowered to 1% from 18% for a period of 3 months on domestic flights.
- Principal and interest rate payments of companies having cash flow problems due to Covid-19 outbreak precautions will be postponed for a minimum of 3 months. Additional financial support will be available if required.
- Inventory financing support will be available for exporters in order to protect capacity utilization rates.
- Principal and interest rate payments of artisans and craftsmen to Halkbank for April, May, and June will be postponed for a period of 3 months free of interest.
- The Credit Guarantee Fund limit will be increased from TRY 25 billion to TRY 50 billion. Loan priority will be channeled to companies and SMEs that need liquidity and that are showing a collateral deficit due to the negative effects of recent developments.
- Social credit packages will be incentivized under the most favorable and advantageous conditions for citizens.
- The mortgageable amount for houses under TRY 500,000 will be raised from 80% to 90%, meaning the minimum down payment has been reduced to 10%.
- Companies that default in April, May, or June due to the measures taken against the spread of the virus will have a “force majeure” note on their credit record.
- Minimum wage support will continue.
- Flexible and remote working models will be utilized to allow for operations to continue efficiently.
- Short Work Allowance will be facilitated, and the processes required to benefit from this opportunity will be eased and accelerated. Thus, the cost of employers will be reduced, while temporary income support will be provided to employees in workplaces that suspend its activities.
- The lowest pension wage will be increased to TRY 1,500.
- The Eid payment for the retired will be paid at the beginning of April.
- The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services will provide financial support of TRY 2 billion for needy families.
- The 2-month compensation working period will be increased to 4 months to provide sustainability in employment.
- Follow-up programs including social services and periodical homecare visits will be initiated for the elderly who are above 80 years old and live alone.
- The maturities for repayments of rediscount credits, which will be due from April 2020 to June 2020, will be extended to October 2020 to December 2020, and the maximum maturity has been extended by 1 year. An additional 12 month-export commitment fulfillment time has been offered for the rediscount credits maturing in April, May, and June 2020.
Source: Investment Office of Republic of Turkey / Link: https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/Pages/covid19-updates-support.aspx
Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended for professional information purposes specific to a person or an institution. Every institution has different requirements because of its own circumstances even though they bear a resemblance to each other. Consequently, it is your interest to consult on an expert before taking a decision based on information stated in this article and putting into practice. Neither MuhasebeNews nor related person or institutions are not responsible for any damages or losses that might occur in consequence of the use of the information in this article by private or formal, real or legal person and institutions.
