Spain: new anti -crisis measures

The Spanish government approved today a new package of anti -crisis measures. They are aimed, as stated, to overcome the country's budget deficit, which last year amounted to 7% - instead of 3%, most acceptable for countries using a single European currency, as well as to create new jobs. The unemployment in Spain exceeded 27% of the total working -age population.

New measures provide, in particular, an increase in interest tax on bank deposits, environmental tax on harmful production, as well as excise taxes on automobile fuel, alcohol and cigarettes. The income tax rates and VAT were increased in Spain last year. The reduction of the administrative apparatus in the regions is planned.

In addition, the government intends to create a special fund of 46 billion euros for lending to small and medium -sized enterprises and simplify the registration of new firms. Now their design should take no more than 24 hours and cost entrepreneurs only 40 euros. At the same time, the authorized capital of the new enterprise can be only 1 euros.

The government stated that this year Spain could not overcome the economic crisis. It will be possible to stop the reduction in production in the country at best only in 2014, and reduce the budget deficit to 3% in 2016.