
10/07/2020
Armenia
- Armenia gets one-year customs tax break within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. Lower rates than the single EEU customs tariffs shall be applied in Armenia for more than 600 items of goods imported. https://bit.ly/2CgClbe
- Another nationwide lockdown may be imposed if Armenian hospitals are no longer able to cope with the continuing spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian warned of lockdown as number of confirmed cases has risen to more than 30,000 in total. https://bit.ly/38zvMg2
- Restaurant business is one of most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic having only up to 30% of its turnover that is not sufficient for survival. Vahe Gevorvyan, the Director of Armenian Restaurant Association, says even though some turned to e-marketing, 30% of restaurants had to shut down. https://bit.ly/2Z6mW6w
- Kim Kardashian calls for joining the fundraising of the Armenia Support Fund to support small businesses in Armenia affected by the Covid-19. The Fund was established to take strategic initiatives impacting Armenians. https://bit.ly/3iDX6i1
- Armenian banks provided 73 billion AMD (around US$ 150 million) as loans to offset the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Martin Galstyan, the Chairman of CB of Armenia noted the sum presents the loans within the frameworks of government programmes to combat the economic impact of Covid-19. https://bit.ly/2Ccmv1C
Azerbaijan
- 41 businesses were closed in Azerbaijan during June. 5 of these businesses were affiliates of foreign-based companies. https://bit.ly/2O1zANJ
- Azerbaijan’s government is not planning to allocate additional support packages for entrepreneurs suffered from pandemic, according to Shahmar Movsumov, assistant to the president. At the same time, he added, the list of entrepreneur categories receiving government support should be expanded, as more spheres of economy start to suffer from current situation. https://bit.ly/2VTg0aJ
- On July 2, more than 28 thousand taxpayers had requested support from government to partially cover salaries of more than 270 thousand workers. These taxpayers had received nearly 95 million AZN ($56 million), including more than 47 million AZN ($27.7 million) of volume for the second month, economy ministry stated. Microentrepreneurs on July 2 made more than 117 thousand requests, and received nearly 63 million AZN ($37 million). https://bit.ly/38DffI3
Belarus
- According to official figures, involuntary part-time employment increased 4 times in May. In June, 9 thousand people received monthly targeted social assistance in the amount of $ 38 in equivalent. And another 5 thousand people will get it in July. https://bitly.su/BAOIR
- Three hundred companies were allowed to open accounts to receive non-repayable subsidies for paying out salaries to employees. Those who had to work part-time or be on hold received an average of $ 107 each. https://bitly.su/JteA
- According to the National Bank, a consolidated economic sentiment index in the country rose to minus 6.8 points in June (in May it was minus 14). The greatest increase in demand for services in the fields of construction and industry. https://bitly.su/1fByoy
- Overdue debts of individuals to banks as of June 1, 2020 increased by 35% compared to June 1, 2019 and amounted to $ 18 million. As of June 1, SMEs’ debt on long-term loans grew by 27% and amounted to $ 3.4 billion, and on short-term loans – by 8% (total – $ 1.4 billion). https://bitly.su/unKZGLe
- The number of coronavirus infected people is still high in the country, local authorities began repealing COVID-19 preventive measures taken in March. Now in the cinemas of some regions there is no need to keep a distance of 1.5 m from each other, distance learning and pre-appointment to visit hairdressing salons have been canceled, and the bars will be able to work after 11 p.m. https://bitly.su/JC8N
Georgia
- The government of Georgia lifts restrictions on part of the business activities such as exhibition events, trainings, conferences in hotels as of July 6. Fitness centers and swimming pools will open after inspections by the Labor Conditions Inspection Depart