The European Commission approved, on Monday 22 June, three business support schemes in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The schemes were authorised under the State Aid Temporary Framework adopted by the Commission on 19 March, as amended on 3 April and 8 May 2020.
Belgium. The Commission has approved a €21 million Belgian aid scheme to support the production of coronavirus-relevant medical products, equipment, technologies and raw materials in the Flemish Region. The public aid will take the form of direct grants and will be open to all companies active in the Flemish Region, except for financial institutions. The aim of the scheme is to incentivise companies to direct their activities to the production of certain products that are crucial to tackle the current health crisis (vaccines, medical devices, etc.)
Portugal. The green light has been given to a €40 million Portuguese aid scheme to support businesses affected by Covid-19 in the autonomous region of Madeira. The aid will take the form of direct grants and State guarantees on loans and will be open to all companies active in the autonomous region concerned. Direct subsidies will not exceed €100,000 per company active in the primary agricultural sector, €120,000 per company active in the fishery or aquaculture sectors, and €800,000 per company active in all other sectors. In addition, the duration of State guarantees on loans will be limited to a maximum of five years.
Hungary. The Commission has authorised a modified €288 million Hungarian scheme to support businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Hungary notified the following modifications to the scheme: - an increase in the estimated total budget; - the extension of the initial scheme to new capital funds. Between 240 and 420 companies will benefit from the modification of the existing scheme. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)