Brussels, 08/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 7 May, the European Commission gave the thumbs-up to regional aid maps for France, Malta, Denmark and Greece for the 2014-2020 programming period based on the new regional state aid guidelines introduced by the Commission in June 2013. The guidelines lay down the conditions under which countries may grant state aid to companies for regional development motives.
For Denmark, the designated areas cover 7.9% of the country's population (slightly less than the previous map), and the aid intensity has remained the same or fallen by five percentage points in some areas. Aid is capped at 10% for big company projects, but may be higher for small and medium-sized companies. In France, the designated areas cover 24.2% of the population. In mainland France, aid is capped for big company projects at 10% of investment costs. For outermost regions, intensity varies from 45% to 70% depending on the area. In Greece, the whole of the country and therefore the whole of the population is covered and aid intensity has risen slightly. It varies from 10% to 25% of total investment costs, depending on the area. Four regions, the Ionian Islands, Crete, Western Macedonia and Attica, are no longer eligible, but may still receive aid until 2020 in order to ensure a smooth transition. From 2018 aid intensity will be reduced in most areas. The whole of Malta is eligible for regional aid and the cap on aid intensity for big company projects until 31 December 2017 is 15% of admissible costs, falling to 10% from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020. Aid intensity can be increased by 10% of investment by medium-sized companies and by 20% for small companies. (EL)