More measures are taken to release the burden of aviation hotel industry.

Cambodia government announced a series of emergency responses involving aviation, tourism and manufacturing industries to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19.

In a statement today, the government  stated that Cambodia has decided to release a second round of emergency measures to tackle spread of the Covid-19. The first round of emergency measures was released on February 24.

The government announced the exemption of Cambodian Airlines ’minimum tax from March to May, the airline was approved to postpone the payment of civil aviation service fees for 6 months, and it could be repaid in installments afterwards.

The government has announced that tourist cities, including the capitals of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Siahnoukvile, Kep, Kampot, Bavet, and Poipet will be exempt from taxes for 3 months for hotels, inns, restaurants, and travel agencies registered with the State Administration of Taxation from March to May, but online tax declaration (E-VAT) is still required every month.

Employees of hotels, inns, restaurants, and travel agencies that were suspended or closed due to the pandemic government will pay 20% of their base salary, but they must participate in short-term training organized by the Ministry of Tourism.

The government calls on building or factory owners to exempt or postpone rent collection in order to reduce the burden on tenants and avoid tenants from terminating contracts or expelling tenants if they fail to pay rent in a timely manner. The government encourages building or factory owners to negotiate with tenants to reduce rents or postpone rent collection.

In a statement, government will focus on COVID-19 situation, and make up new round of emergency measures according to the latest situation.

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the first phase of the financial plan on February 24, mainly to assist the industry and workers affected by theCOVID-19 pandemic, including tourism, clothing, small and medium enterprises, and construction and real estate industry.

The main assistance includes allowing hotels and inns in Siem Reap province to be exempt from tax for 4 months (from February to May), while adjusting the Angkor Wat ticket fee system. Affected garment and shoe factories can enjoy Tax Holiday, and workers affected by the suspension of operation at the factory will continue to receive 60% of the basic salary, of which 40% will be paid by the factory and the remaining 20% will be borne by the government.

The government also decided to implement the state-owned SME Bank plan as soon as possible, while providing up to $ 50 million to the Rural Development Bank (RDB) to provide concessional loans to SMEs, including workers who engaging in agriculture, agro-based industries, and vegetables Planters, poultry and livestock keepers.

In addition, the government is also preparing to establish an interim co-financing mechanism with a total value of US $ 50 million. Through small and medium-sized enterprise banks, it cooperates with micro-finance institutions and commercial banks to jointly provide low-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises to support small and medium-sized enterprises Small businesses engage in import alternative business model activities or have the ability to become large enterprise suppliers. (Jianhua Daily)