Brussels, 06/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - As previously indicated, the European Commission approved, on Wednesday, the 2000-2006 programmes for the development of seven Italian regions: Abruzzi, Lazio, Lugrie, Ombrie, Piedmont, Tuscany, Venitia. These support programmes for the economic and social reconversion of areas in structural difficulty (Objective 2) foresee a Community financial contribution from the ERDF of EUR 1.997 billion, which will enable to mobilise around EUR 6.423 billion in investments from the public and private sectors. All of these funds aim to stop the decline of "Objective 2" areas by promoting the acceleration of growth, reconversion, productive innovation and the improvement of basic conditions for the development of each region's strong points.
The aid programme for the region of Abruzzi foresees the allocation of a Community contribution of EUR 185.4 million, completed by 707.6 million in investments from the public and private sector. These priority axes are: - competitiveness of the region (Community contribution- cc -: 65 million); - competitiveness of companies (cc: 51 million); protection and development of environmental and cultural resources (65 million).
For the aid programme to Lazio, the ERDF will free 371.5 million, amount which will be completed with some 546.5 million from the public and private sector. The programme is centred on four priorities: - adding value to the environment (cc: 47.54 million); - enhancing of networked infrastructures for roads, telematics (cc: 118.1 million); - development of the cultural and environmental advantages at the local level (cc: 126.4 million); - improvement of company competitiveness (cc: 71.8 million).
For the Ligurie development programme, the EU will free EUR 193 million, which will lead to the mobilisation of around EUR 1,879 billion from the public and private sectors. The main themes are: - development and enhancement of companies (cc: 74.3 million); - improvement of the environment (cc: 36.8 million); - development of the territory (cc: 79.2 million).
The aid programme for Ombrie foresees a Community contribution of EUR 150.5 million. Added to this are 242.5 million of public and private investments. The funds will finance the priority actions in the following areas: - competitiveness of the regional economy (cc: 53.5 million); - competitiveness of companies (cc: 56.1 million); - protection and development of natural resources - notably environmental and cultural (cc: 37.2 million).
For the Piedmont, the ERDF will allocate EUR 488.6 million, which will lead to the mobilisation of around 767.4 million in public and private investments. Four priorities have been selected: - interconnection to international production and services networks (cc: 45.9 million); - qualification and support to companies (cc: 252.4 million); - local development and development of the territory (cc: 143.7 million); - social cohesion (cc: 43.3 million).
The Community contribution to the region programme for Tuscany will be EUR 322.5 million, to which are added EUR 810.5 million in investments from the public and private sectors. The priorities are; - the development and strengthening of SMEs (cc: 119.1 million); - improvement of infrastructures (cc: 141.4 million); - projection of environmental heritage of the region (cc: 48 million).
Finally for Venetie the Community contribution is EUR 286 million, to which are added roughly EUR 1,476 million in investments from the public and private sectors. The four priorities are: - the enhancing and development of companies (cc: 128.7 million); - the development of infrastructures for the competitiveness of the regional production system (cc: 73.2 million); - tourism and the projection of the environmental and cultural heritage (cc: 73.2 million); - improvement of the environment (cc: 35.8 million).
For the other Italian regions under Objective 2, seven programmes (Bolzano, Frioul, Venezia, Giulia, Lombardie, Marche, Trentin-High Adige and Aoste valley) will be the subject of decisions in principal during the next weeks. The final adoption by the Commission of all the programmes is planned for August or September. It will then be for the Italian management authorities to adopt the additional programming documents indicating the criteria for selection that will allow for the definition of the projects eligible for financing and pass them on to the Commission. The implementation on the ground will then begin. A 7% advance from the Community funds will be transferred to do this.