国际英语资讯:S. African president announces 500-bln-rand COVID-19 plan_时事

国际英语资讯:S. African president announces 500-bln-rand COVID-19 plan

JOHANNESBURG, April 21 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night revealed that 500 billion rand (26.3 billion U.S. dollars) would be devoted to relief and economic stimulus measures to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are announcing this evening a massive social relief and economic support package of R500 billion, which amounts to around 10% of GDP," Ramaphosa said in his TV address.

He said 20 billion rand (1.05 billion U.S. dollars) would go to the health sector, 100 billion rand (5.27 billion U.S. dollars) will be set aside for the protection of jobs and to create jobs, and 2 billion rand (105.3 million U.S. dollars) will be made available to assist SMEs and spaza shop owners and other small businesses.

The president added that "we will therefore be introducing a R200 billion (10.5 billion U.S. dollars) loan guarantee scheme in partnership with the major banks, the National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank. This will assist enterprises with operational costs, such as salaries, rent and the payment of suppliers."

The government is also working on additional support measures for vulnerable and affected sectors like the taxi industry. Measures such as VAT refunds and tax deferrals should provide at least 70 billion rand (3.7 billion U.S. dollars) in cash flow relief or direct payments to businesses and individuals.