In view of the ongoing strain on the economy from the pandemic, the federal states have proposed an extension and improvement of economic aid for companies affected by government restrictions. In order to enable quick help, the federal states also suggested advance payments in a letter to Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) in order to provide the companies with liquidity as quickly as possible in January 2022.
The chairman of the conference of economics ministers, NRW finance minister Andreas Pinkwart (FDP), emphasized in the letter that became known on Wednesday that the current wave of the pandemic is affecting the retail trade, the event industry, the showman industry and others due to the again necessary cuts with 2G or 3G requirements the hospitality industry is also strong. “The common goal of the federal states is therefore not to be held responsible for any deterioration in bridging aid IV compared to the existing pandemic-related economic aid.”
The federal states therefore proposed that Bridging Aid IV be extended to summer 2022 within the scope of the possibilities under state aid law. In addition, Pinkwart pushed for an extension of the deadlines for the final accounts of the previous programs.