NIB provides Covid-19 mitigation loan to Republic of Latvia
“The Latvian Government is working on a fiscal stimulus package and developing financial instruments to support business sectors with the largest and immediate needs. We have already done much, but the work to contain the virus and measures to cope with consequences continues, therefore additional financing is needed and will be required. We are determined to invest fund purposely and closely monitor that at the end it brings expected results, including the necessary support to businesses and people,” says Minister for Finance, Jānis Reirs.
“The loan from NIB will finance the required support measures to the business activities in affected sectors in the forms of loans, capital injections or payment reliefs,” says Henrik Normann, President & CEO of NIB.
The Covid-19 mitigation loan will cover a part of Latvia’s increased expenditures, for instance - support measures for employees, delayed tax measures and reduction of rent. Loan is planned for further possible economic stimulus measures such as capital injections, extra measures for the most affected business sectors, potentially additional support for small and medium-sized enterprises in the form of working capital or guarantee mechanisms.
Part of financing planned for providing protective equipment and anti-infectious agents, medical equipment, disposable personal protective equipment, medicinal products, single-use materials, non-invasive ventilators, and remunerations for medical persons performing all necessary prevention and treatment measures related to the spread of Covid-19.
As the international financial institution of the Nordic and Baltic countries, NIB finances projects that improve the productivity and benefit the environment of the region. The Bank also has a stabilising role during economic crisis.
More information about NIB’s responses to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic on NIB’s website www.nib.int.