The European Commission authorised, on Friday 24 February, a €3 billion French scheme to compensate companies in five French outermost regions for the additional costs borne when operating in those territories until 2027.
This concerns companies in Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion for the additional costs they incur in the context of their activities in these French outermost regions.
This scheme replaces one initially approved by the Commission in March 2017 and extended twice.
Under this scheme, which will last until 2027, the aid takes the following forms: - a reduced rate on the ‘docks due’ (i.e. a tax applied on products imported into or produced in the French outermost regions); - a total exemption from the ‘docks due’ for companies with a turnover below €500.000.
Companies active in certain sectors, such as lignite, coal extraction and financial services, cannot benefit from the scheme.
The Commission found that the scheme Is necessary and appropriate to compensate companies for the additional costs they face when operating in the French outermost regions. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)