Bahrain to cover electricity and water payments for individuals, companies for 3 months - ministry

Bahrain announced on Tuesday a financial package of 4.3 billion Bahraini dinar ($11.39 billion) to combat the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. The measures include covering electricity and water payments for individuals and companies for three months starting in April, the finance ministry said in a tweet.

Bahrain will also double the size of the liquidity fund to reach 200 million dinars ($530 million). The central bank will also raise the lending capacity of banks by 3.7 billion dinars ($9.80 billion) to postpone installments or additional financing for clients, the ministry said. The package also exempts tourist facilities from paying taxes for three months as of April as well, the ministry added. ($1 = 0.3774 Bahraini dinars)