17 Mar 2020 18:29

Putin: SME should not suffer due to market swings, force-majeure

MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - Small and medium businesses in Russia should not have to suffer from market swings and force-majeure while the coronavirus threat is present, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We cannot allow this important sector to suffer from sharp swings in the situation or force-majeure," he said at a meeting with Cabinet ministers.

Putin said he agreed that it was "necessary to exonerate businesses from unnecessary audits," he said. "It is necessary to get to grips with their debt load and, taking the current situation into account, adopt a careful approach to any penalties and sanctions," he said.