LISBON, Mar 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, announced yesterday, a package of measures to soften the price increase of fuel and energy, recorded in recent days.
The main measure is to return to consumers the Tax on Petroleum Products, that is charged by the government at the price of fuel.
The measure will come into effect “from next Friday,” the Portuguese head of government said.
Costa explained that, it will be impossible to reduce the Value Added Tax, before the European Union (EU) gives the authorisation, and that, conversations between member countries have already taken place and “a decision is awaited for the next weeks.”
The fuel price will continue to increase in the coming weeks in Portugal, but the government’s objective is to compensate for inflation by lowering taxes, said Costa.
Starting from Friday, the government will estimate the price of fuel every week, in a bid to define a refund to the taxpayer, based on the increase in costs.
Costa also stressed that the EU intends to act, to reduce its energy dependence on external sources, increase state aid and support “essential measures” to contain the “rising costs for industries.”– NNN-AGENCIES
