(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Niger has granted travel agencies a 3-month tax exemption to help them face the challenges that come with the restriction measures put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus across the country. The decision was announced on March 27 following a Ministers’ Council.

As part of the management of the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19, the government has decided to “suspend proceedings for the collection of taxes for three (3) months, until 30 June 2020 for travel agencies.”

After the country reported the first case of the pandemic on March 19, authorities ordered the closure of bus stations and the suspension of land transport; a measure that is very detrimental to transport agencies.

Let’s note that similar tax relief measures have also been granted to bars and drinking outlets, sports and leisure sector, and the hotel industry. To date, Niger has recorded 18 cases of Covid-19 infections, including 1 death.

Romuald Ngueyap