Govt adopts bill to defer businesses' debt

Addressing reporters after the government session on Wednesday, Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj said the deferral concerned liabilities under loan agreements closed with banks or savings banks.

"Companies, co-operatives, sole entrepreneurs, self-employed and farmers will be able to reach an agreement with banks to defer liabilities for a period of 12 months," said Šircelj.

Banks will be able to defer debt payments under the "condition that the company is solvent and is in fact in business, is paying taxes", the minister said.

Banks will be obliged to grant such a deferral to operations that have been unable to do business under a government decree, such as bars or restaurants.

The borrowers will need to settle on the terms and conditions of the deferral with the creditors themselves.

"Banks already have the option to restructure debt; if the...