The Prime Minister presented a “resilience plan” to cope with the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Specific aid is planned for fishermen, farmers, construction companies, or heavy industries.
Le Monde
“The state will be at the rendezvous”, promised the Prime Minister Jean Castex, presenting Wednesday, 16 March a “economic and social resilience plan” to cope with the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine. This plan is intended to “protect households and companies with the immediate consequences of the shock” due, in particular, on the rise in commodity prices and energy. “We have a duty to prepare for a long crisis,” said the Prime Minister, stressing that the repercussions on the European economy were “the inevitable counterpart of reality and the effectiveness of our sanctions”.
The Prime Minister has announced that 15 cents pumping per liter of fuel, granted by the government from April for a period of four months, would be extended to Vehicle Natural Gas (GNV) and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
This discount “will concern all the French, in metropolitan territory and in the overseas, individuals like all professionals,” said Castex. “In particular, can benefit from measuring roads, taxis and sanitary carriers, farmers, public works actors and fishermen, but also all occupations that use their vehicle, such as home aid,” detailed Prime Minister.
Accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Bruno The Mayor, Jean Castex once again called for oil tankers to “a complementary gesture” and reported that Totalnergies had “gave his agreement in principle to go beyond the ‘Effort of the State “.
Help of 35 cents per liter of diesel for fishermen
For businesses, a new assistance will be attributed to those whose gas and electricity expenditures represent “at least 3% of their turnover” and face a sharp rise in energy costs. This assistance, which will include the industry, will be distributed unconditionally in size or sector and “will support half of the surplus of their energy expenditure,” said the Prime Minister.
Three devices already in place since the beginning of the crisis due to COVID-19 will also be strengthened. The loan borrowing ceiling guaranteed by the state is raised to 35% of turnover, instead of 25% today. Reports of tax and social charges will be “facilitated for companies affected by rising energy prices or export restrictions”. Finally, the use of the long-term partial activity is “prolonged 12 additional months for agreements already signed”, detailed Jean Castex, adding that companies not covered by this device could “sign agreement until the end of the ‘Year 2022 “.
The Prime Minister has also announced a series of targeted measures for fishermen, farmers, transport companies, those of construction, and exporting companies. At the address of the latter, Jean Castex exhorted to “not give in to the temptation of the withdrawal”.
For fishermen, whose activity is essential for “our food souvente”, said the Prime Minister, the Government will bring an “exceptional financial assistance equivalent to 35 cents per liter of fishing diesel”, and until on July 31st. For farmers, including breeders, highly affected by rising animal feed prices. An envelope of 400 million euros is planned for a “four-month transitional assistance” which “will compensate for the losses”.