Debtors to the State, in order to avoid the phenomenon, guarantees proportionate to the turnover of the companies are needed
Of the 207 million in total debt, 20% is held by 6 companies. Structurally, in San Marino there are companies that do not pay taxes and contributions, and in most cases of bankruptcy everything is resolved without the State recovering anything. How can economic activities be allowed to accrue even very high debts without being stopped first? This is the question that the CSdL continues to ask itself, without receiving any answer
An evaluation of the recent publication of the debts registry was the first topic dealt with in yesterday’s episode of “CSdL Informa”, which was attended by the Secretary General Enzo Merlini and the Confederal Secretary William Santi. The episode, as usual, was coordinated by Giuliano Tamagnini.
This list – published once a year by the Central Bank for 4 years now – summarizes all the economic entities that have contracted a debt to the State of at least 50 thousand euros. The number of large debts has not changed much compared to last year, but the total amount of the sums to the state has decreased by about 23 million; this would suggest that part of these debts have been recovered, but in reality there are variations every year, that is, the procedures concluded and bankruptcies are written off, and new debtors are added.
Bankruptcies for an amount equal to about 20 million euros were filed: probably some filings were filed because it was not possible to recover even a penny, as happens in 80% of cases followed by the trade union for the protection of workers who claim credits; often these are companies that cannot attack any good, or if they had any, they have disappeared before we can take precautions.
There are 64 new entities, which have accumulated a total of € 8 million in debt. Among the bankruptcies removed, a single company had accumulated 22 million in debt, while among those present there are 6 which alone amount to 40 million. 20% of the total debt, which amounts to 207 million euros, is therefore concentrated in 6 activities.
The question that arises is how it is possible that economic activities continue to be allowed to reach such high levels without being stopped first. Question that we have asked the Government several times, but which has not yet received any response.
Indeed, a partial response has arrived in recent days from the Finance Commission, which unanimously approved a bill by the Secretary of Industry Fabio Righi for the simplification of the start-up of economic activities. But at the same time, part of the same political majority (except for the strength of Secretary Righi) was put forward a proposal for an agenda that commits the government to a new provision for the control system, in order to avoid abuses, the phenomenon of the bad name. , etc.
It is a real paradox: first the bill is voted unanimously, and then an agenda is proposed which essentially acknowledges that the control system does not work. Numbers like the last two times since the pandemic, but they mean that structurally in San Marino there are companies that do not pay taxes and contributions, and in the end in most cases everything is resolved in a soap bubble.
Among the novelties of the bill of the Secretary of Industry there is also the possibility of opening an economic activity with a minimum share capital. Often these are not sums deposited in the bank, but are resources invested in equipment, means of transport, which after a short time lose value.
The problem is not the size of the share capital when starting a business, unless by its very necessity it requires substantial investments, but it becomes so when the turnover increases, hires employees and grows: it is not possible that there must be no guarantees for the protection of the State and workers, on which to possibly retaliate if the same company is in default in the payments of taxes, contributions and salaries. The absence of these guarantees gives rise to the phenomenon of large debts, even in contempt of those who regularly comply with their obligations.
The CSdL insistently asks for a share capital proportional to the turnover of the companies. Cases such as those described will continue to occur, otherwise the community will be forced to take charge of the debts.
The episode also provided an overview of the discussion with the government on tax and pension reforms, which we will return to in a forthcoming communication.
Press release
CSdL