Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2004/C 28/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XS 56/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: West Midlands

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: SME Development Programme in Industrial Laser and Associated Technologies

Legal basis: Industrial Development Act 1982, Sections 7 and 11 and Industrial Development Act 1988, Section 8

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: In the case of an aid scheme: indicate the annual overall amount of grant proposed by year.

This scheme will provide public funding to support SMEs to the amount of:

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The funding will be supporting SMEs which meet the definition in Annex 1 to the SME Block Exemption Regulation (EC) 70/2001

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity will be 50 % of consultancy costs. The maximum aid to a single SME will not exceed GBP 100000

Date of implementation: 4 March 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Aid may be granted under the scheme until 31 December 2005

Objective of aid: The scheme aims to provide consultancy support to facilitate technology knowledge transfer to SMEs in the West Midlands. Without assistance, SMEs would lack the technical skills and expertise required to exploit recent advances in laser-based product processes. The scheme will enable SMEs to adopt new and improved processes as a basis for the future development of products that are more competitive in both traditional and new marketplaces. This will in turn safeguard jobs in SMEs located in the region and encourage innovation and diversification

Economic sector(s) concerned: All manufacturing and other services, without prejudice to special rules, regulations and directives concerning State aid in certain sectors. In particular, the project will not support motor vehicle/engine manufacturers or first-tier component suppliers (as part of the overall project)

Name and address of the granting authority: Sharon Shattock Government Office for the West Midlands 77 Paradise Circus

Queensway

Birmingham B1 2DT Tel. (44-121) 212 50 68 United Kingdom

Other information: Julia Ryall, Senior European Officer External Funding Office Morris Foss Building MF 126

Coventry University

Priory Street

Coventry CV1 5FB Tel. (44-24) 76 88 80 03 Fax (44-24) 76 88 80 04 Research.eur@coventry.ac.uk United Kingdom

Aid No: XS 18/01

Member State: Spain

Region: Murcia

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Information technology promotion programme

Legal basis: Ley 6/86, de 24 de mayo; y convocatoria anual de ayudas publicada en el boletín oficial de la Región de Murcia de 23 de marzo de 2001

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 360607,263 for 2001

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % gge of eligible costs

Date of implementation: 24 March 2001

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2004

Objective of aid: To promote the use of information technology by SMEs in Murcia by providing grants towards the cost of purchasing hardware and technology (intangible investment) and training

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority: Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia Avenida de la Fama, 3 E - 30003 Murcia

Other information: The scheme does not cover the sectors and activities listed in Article 1(2) of Regulation No 70/2001, financial services and the acquisition of vehicles and transport equipment