Ivorian government announces 2.5 billion euro economic support plan

A saleswoman wearing a mask on a street in Abidjan while the shops are closed, March 30, 2020. AFP Photos / Issouf Sanogo

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Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly unveiled on Tuesday evening the broad outlines of this plan.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan, Sidy Yansané

It was his first television appearance since his self-containment a week ago, having been in contact with a person infected with Covid-19. In a serious tone, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly returned first to the results of the current health response, before announcing an envelope of 1,700 billion CFA francs, or 2.5 billion euros, to preserve the economy:

“ Many key sectors of our economy are affected. Especially farms, especially agricultural, imports, construction, tourism, trade, hotels, restaurants and transport. Our economic growth, estimated [initially] at 7.2 % for the year 2020, is estimated today at 3.6 %, in the event of a pandemic crisis [going] at the end of June 2020 ”.

Tax deferral for businesses

This social and humanitarian economic support plan, which weighs 5% of Ivorian GDP, is accompanied in particular by a three-month postponement of taxes for businesses, small traders and craftsmen, a specific fund of 150 million euros for the informal sector and a support check for the private sector of almost 380 million euros.

► To read also: Coronavirus: Africa facing the pandemic Tuesday March 31

Payments for water and electricity bills are postponed until this summer, except for one million of the poorest households, who will have their bills taken over by the State. The Prime Minister also promised support for the main sectors of the national economy, in particular cocoa. The government has decided to maintain producers' remuneration, despite the drop in black gold prices.

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  • Ivory Coast
  • Economy Africa
  • Economy
  • Coronavirus

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