A report from the Government House indicates that the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is preparing to propose additional “urgent economic stimulus measures” to cope with the impact of the energy crisis that has begun to pass through into product costs and the cost of living.
Previously, in a special Cabinet meeting on March 26, seven measures were approved, focusing on targeted assistance, such as for vulnerable groups and the transportation sector, to reduce costs and limit the pass-through effect on product prices and inflation.
After the new government delivers its policy statement to parliament and assumes full authority, it is expected to accelerate the “Half-Half” co-payment scheme, at least by one phase, to alleviate household expenses and support purchasing power in the short-term.
However, implementing these measures still requires considering budgetary appropriateness. The government plans to expedite the preparation of the 2027 annual budget to support future measures, including the expansion of the Half-Half scheme.
At the same time, NESDC is preparing measures to assist the “middle class,” who have begun to feel the impact of the rising cost of living amid uncertainty in the global energy situation.
