“We do not claim that farmers have become rich with the government’s initiatives, but it is certain that in the context of the strength of the economy, from 2019 we started a policy of tax relief for farmers”, said Kostis Hatzidakis
“We are not claiming that farmers have become rich with the government’s initiativesbut it is certain that in the context of the strength of the budget and the economy, from 2019 we started a policy of tax relief for farmers”, said the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis on SKAI and the show ATARIASTOI.
“I remind the reduction of direct taxation of farmers already from the first year of our term in relation to SYRIZA. The VAT on fertilizers and animal feed which fell to 6%, the VAT on agricultural machinery which fell to 13%, the return of the excise tax in 22′ and 23′, – it was not returned earlier now it will be returned and in fact with an advance payment 24′- and the prime minister announced that this refund of the excise duty will also be made permanent. At the same time, in electricity we have extremely positive arrangements with an extension for 8 years”.
“For compensation there is enough money that has been given in the context of first aid, it is coordinated by Mr. Triandopoulos. We realize that we cannot give money unchecked for natural disasters because it would be ‘helicopter money’ for which we would ultimately be held accountable by the people themselves,” he said.
“Only the Ministry of Infrastructure has built and passed special legislation for this projects that approach one billion in Thessaly and the surrounding areas that were affected.”
“We’ve already exceeded our budget”
Asked if any of the farmers’ requests are going to be met, he clarified: “We cannot do anything further because we have already exceeded the budget capacity since the beginning of the year for farmers, doctors and birth allowance. We have given 212 million more than the budget projections calculated in December. Of course the budget is being executed normally and that’s why we were able and gave this money, we guess we can support it, but there are limits”.
“I don’t see emergency aid on the horizon for Easter”
Regarding the Easter allowance, he himself stated: I don’t see anything on the horizon, however this will depend on how things turn out. The Prime Minister has said that he has just ‘dried the ink on the budget’. In last year’s budget we thought that due to the double elections and the disasters in Thessaly we would have an issue, but it overperformed because the economy overperformed.”
“Our first job is not to hand out things we don’t have, our first job is to get the economy working properly. We will never give more than what we can handle,” he stressed.
“On March 22 the minimum wage increase”
Regarding the minimum wage he said: “On March 22, the minimum wage will increase. The minimum wage has gone from 650 to 780, when the cabinet decides the first number will be “8”, not “9”. We were 18th in the EU and now we’re 12th, I’m not bragging about it, it’s a reality. The average salary has also gone up from 1046 to 1258. I am not claiming that people’s problems have been solved. Savings were 150 billion in 2019 and now reached 200 billion, 50 billion increase 30 out of 50 come from households. Greece has climbed several steps in the economy”.
“IRIS has zero fees for money transfers up to 500 euros”
About IRIS charges: “From citizen to citizen the charges are zero up to 500 euros. If the citizen goes to a freelancer who has made an IRIS account and makes a deposit to his account of up to 500 euros, there will still be no charge. The professional, depending on the bank he has, may pay a small fee – however, lower than what the same professional would pay if he used other methods.
I understand that from the IRIS system they may be annoyed with other competitors.’
“February 29 deadline set for POS interconnection”
Regarding the POS: “The interface of the POS with the cash registers will definitely be done not only because tax evasion is being dealt with but because the issue has been included in the recovery fund for three years as a milestone which means that if it is not done the financing of country in part. So we will proceed rain or shine. A deadline of February 29 has been set. In today’s meeting with the bankers we will discuss about POS”.
Source: Skai
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