Out of the EUR 17.8 in the sixth relief package, EUR 9.9 million have been allocated to the hospitality industry alone, which we believe is a fair, equitable model to help tourist workers and restaurateurs, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi told the press on Tuesday.

“We based the model on what we have all sown,” Deputy PM Bytyqi said. “If in 2019 and 2020 some companies enjoyed the informal economy yet today they are asking the state to help them, unfortunately, we cannot respond.”

“But all businesses that worked appropriately,” he added, “will receive adequate assistance according to the model we created: we will compensate part of their revenues and part of their payroll.”

Bytyqi said he had been meeting with representatives of the Chamber of Tourism and Hospitality and those meetings would continue.

“We must understand,” he said, “that even in times of crisis we should try to create a sustainable system, which resultis in positive effects in the medium term.

“I think that this model will once and for all set apart those who deserve our help.

“Those who deserve it less, they may be included, I hope, in other ongoing programs we have developed to combat the gray economy and increase employability.”