Daily News 27 / 07 / 2020

Le plan d'investissement prévoit 587 millions d'euros pour les PME portugaises touchées par la crise du coronavirus

Le Groupe de la Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI) et Banco Santander Consumer Portugal unissent leurs forces pour soutenir les petites et moyennes entreprises et les entreprises à moyenne capitalisation portugaises touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus. La BEI et Banco Santander Consumer Portugal ont signé deux accords pour injecter 587 millions d'euros de liquidités et financer des investissements à un moment critique. Cet accord s'inscrit dans le cadre des initiatives du Groupe BEI lancées en mars pour rapidement faire face à la crise provoquée par la pandémie de coronavirus et est garanti par le Fonds européen pour les investissements stratégiques. Valdis Dombrovskis, vice-président exécutif chargé de l'économie, a déclaré : « Avec plus de trois quarts des emplois au Portugal provenant des petites et moyennes entreprises, il est impératif que nous mettions tout en œuvre pour protéger ces entreprises en ces moments difficiles. La Commission européenne et le groupe de la Banque européenne d'investissement travaillent ensemble pour aider les PME à surmonter la tempête et à se remettre des effets dévastateurs de la crise du coronavirus. » Le communiqué de presse est disponible ici. Les projets et accords approuvés en vue d'un financement dans le cadre du plan d'investissement devraient mobiliser 514 milliards d'euros d'investissements, dont 13 milliards d'euros au Portugal. (Pour plus d'informations : Arianna Podesta — Tél.: + 32 229 87024; Siobhán Millbright — Tél.: + 32 229 57361)

Coronavirus: la Commission lance un appel à partenariats innovants en matière de réaction et de relance entre les régions de l'UE

Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a lancé un appel à manifestation d'intérêt pour des partenariats thématiques visant à piloter des projets d'innovation interrégionaux qui soutiennent les efforts de réaction et de relance à la suite de la pandémie de coronavirus. L'objectif de cet appel est d'aider les régions à saisir les opportunités nées de la crise, à accroître leur résilience et à s'appuyer sur la transformation écologique et numérique pour relancer les secteurs les plus touchés, comme la santé et le tourisme. Elisa Ferreira, commissaire chargée de la cohésion et des réformes, a déclaré à ce propos: « Inspiré du succès d'actions pilotes analogues destinées à stimuler l'innovation et la compétitivité au niveau régional, le lancement de cet appel constitue un exemple supplémentaire de la capacité et de la volonté de l'Union européenne de soutenir les économies locales en ces temps difficiles. L'accent mis sur la santé, le tourisme, la durabilité et la numérisation répond parfaitement aux priorités de la Commission et à la réaction nécessaire pour contrer les effets de la crise du coronavirus. » L'appel soutiendra des partenariats interrégionaux dans quatre domaines thématiques : le développement de la chaîne de valeur médicale ; la sûreté et la gestion des déchets médicaux ; le tourisme durable et numérique ; et le développement des technologies de l'hydrogène dans les régions à forte intensité de carbone. L'appel restera ouvert jusqu'au 7 septembre 2020 et le budget total, issu du Fonds européen de développement régional, alloué à la mise en place des quatre partenariats thématiques est de 400.000 d'euros. Plus de détails sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)

Investment Plan supports first Italian fund to invest in space economy

The European Investment Fund is investing €30 million into ‘Primo Space', an early-stage Italian venture fund focused on space start-ups. The financing is backed by the Investment Plan for Europe, Horizon 2020 - the European Commission's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - and the new InnovFin Space Equity Pilot. Primo Space will invest in technology spin-offs, start-ups and SMEs, and will work closely with the Italian research and academic world, including the Italian Space Agency, in order to bring the most promising technologies and entrepreneurial teams to the market. The Fund will target companies working in electronics, robots and satellites, communications, cryptography, geolocation and earth observation. Primo Space has raised €58 million so far, with a target size of €80 million in total. Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for the Economy, said: “Companies developing innovative technologies for the space sector really are venturing into the unknown. I am particularly pleased that the EU is providing financial backing for this ground-breaking fund, joining forces with the Italian Space Agency, opening the way to new investment and job creation in this fast-growing sector.” The press release is available here.The projects and agreements approved for financing under the Investment Plan are expected to mobilise €514 billion in investments, of which €78.6 billion is in Italy. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Siobhán Millbright – Tel.: +32 229 57361)

Cohesion policy: Commission approves €47 million investment in South West Romania's emergency hospital

The European Commission has approved an investment worth €47 million from the European Regional Development FundEuropean Regional Development Fund to build an over 800-bed Regional Emergency Hospital (REH) in Craiova, in Romania's Dolj county. This project will improve the local population's access to quality healthcare, including life-saving chemotherapy for cancer patients. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, commented: “The coronavirus pandemic has yet again shown how important it is to invest in modern and efficient healthcare infrastructures, which has always been - and it will continue to be - EU Cohesion policy's top priority as shown by this major project adoption.” The construction of the emergency hospital in South West Romania will help reduce inequalities in access to healthcare, especially for people in rural and impoverished areas. This will ensure early diagnosis of less serious conditions, with better chances of successful treatment, fewer deaths and long-term disabilities. At the same time, modern infrastructure and equipment, as well as better organisation and management, will ensure more efficient treatment of life-threatening conditions. Moreover, the project also aims at counteracting the brain drain of medical staff from the region by providing local doctors and nurses a more attractive working environment. The hospital is expected to be operational as of 2026. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Sara Soumillion - Tel.: +32 229 67094)

Coronavirus global response: EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to Iraq and new funding

The latest in a series of EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights with over 40 tons of medical and emergency supplies to reinforce the humanitarian response has arrived in Iraq. The flight is part of the ongoing Team Europe support to deliver assistance to the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world, which are impacted by transport restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The EU is also providing a new humanitarian aid package of €35 million to help victims of conflict and forced displacement in Iraq and boost the coronavirus response. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "The EU continues to stand by those most in need in Iraq. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, humanitarian organisations are facing very difficult access conditions, while the needs in Iraq are increasing. This humanitarian air bridge is a tangible expression of EU solidarity with the most vulnerable.” EU humanitarian assistance in Iraq focuses on delivering lifesaving assistance such as emergency healthcare, shelter, access to safe water and sanitation, education and protection. EU humanitarian aid is channelled to some 400,000 people, many of them women and children. A press release is available online. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

State aid: Commission approves €35 million Belgian scheme to support potato and ornamental plant growers active in the Flemish region affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €35 million Belgian scheme to support companies active in the potato and floricultural primary production sectors in the Flemish region that are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants. Of the total budget of €35 million, €10 million are earmarked to support potato growers, and €25 million to support ornamental plant growers. The measure aims to address the liquidity needs of these companies and help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 1,450 small and medium-sized enterprises, of which about 650 active in the potato sector and 800 in the floricultural sector. The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the grants will not exceed €100,000 per beneficiary. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58014 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €28 million Bulgarian scheme in support of tour operators affected by the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission approved a €28 million (BGN 55 million) Bulgarian scheme to support tour operators forced to limit or suspend their activities due to restrictions in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the measure, tour operators are entitled to receive €35 for each passenger that has booked a travel package with them, which includes a flight into Bulgaria. Eligibility is restricted to flights between 14 May and 31 December 2020. The scheme will be in the form of a direct grant. The measure is open to all tour operators and carriers regardless of the country of registration and to all travellers regardless of the country of origin. The objective of the measure is to stimulate incoming tourism. It will facilitate access to finance and mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that the affected companies are facing. The Commission found that the Bulgarian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support will not exceed €800,000 per company and will be granted no later than 31 December 2020. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58050 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EU and China to hold High-Level Trade and Economic Dialogue

Tomorrow, 28 July 2020, the European Union and China will hold their 8th High-Level Trade and Economic Dialogue (HED) via videoconference. The meeting will be co-chaired by Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Vice-Premier of the State Council Liu He. Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan, and a number of China's Vice-Ministers will also participate. Discussions will cover the response to the coronavirus crisis, global economic governance issues, and cooperation in the area of finance and taxation. The meeting will also cover topics such as market access and level playing field for EU companies, the reform of the World Trade Organization and the ongoing negotiations for an agreement on investment. (For more information: Daniel Rosario - Tel.: +32 229 56185; Kinga Malinowska - Tel.: +32 460 751383)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse