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 9/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XS 106/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Campania

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: New aid scheme of the Campania Region (Integrated Incentive Plan)

Legal basis: Delibera Giunta regionale n. 6214 del 15.11.2001; delibera della Giunta regionale n. 4462 dell'8.10.2002; legge n. 341/95 e s.m. e i. di cui alla legge n. 266/97; legge n. 1329/65; legge n. 598/94; articolo 11; decreto legislativo n. 112/98, articolo 19; decreto legislativo n. 123/98; regolamento CE n. 70 del 12.1.2001

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 20 million

Maximum aid intensity: The projected aid intensity is 35 % nge + 15 % gge.

Date of implementation: 30 November 2002 (no aid will be granted in any event before this summary has been notified to the Commission)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The aid in the form of a capital contribution and a tax bonus is intended for expenditure on measures to set up new plant, and to expand, modernise, restructure, convert, reactivate and relocate production plant. The investments in question will be made in the production cycle or ancillary facilities. Road vehicles and means of transport entered in the public register are not eligible for aid, with the exception of those which, pursuant to Articles 85 and 114 of the Highway Code (Codice della strada) and Article 298 of Presidential Decree No 495 of 16 December 1992, are defined as public works vehicles

Economic sector(s) concerned: SMEs operating in:

- the extractive and manufacturing industries, the production and distribution of electricity, gas and water, the building and trade sectors in Sections C, D, E, F and G of the 1991 ISTAT classification of economic activities. The sectors referred to in sub-sections DA and section G are eligible for aid in accordance with the Community rules on the production and distribution of the products listed in Annex 1 to the EC Treaty. Investments in "sensitive" areas pursuant to the Community rules are not eligible;

- the telecommunications sector;

- service activities with the potential to have a favourable effect on the development of the above-mentioned productive activities, in accordance with the limitations concerning access to aid under Article 1(2) of Decree-Law No 415 of 22 October 1992, converted into Law No 488 of 19 December 1992

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Campania Assessorato Centro Direzionale-Isola A6 I - 80143 Napoli Tel. 081/796 68 09 Fax 081/796 60 33

Other information: The aid scheme is not applicable to investments in excess of EUR 1 million.

Firms are eligible for aid only in respect of investment programmes that satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

- they save energy;

- they are covered by certification systems (environmental, product and process);

- they increase employment.

The aid scheme does not apply to export-related activities, i.e. aid directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity, and aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

Only expenditure incurred since the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

Only consultancy services that are not continuous or regular, or connected with the normal operating expenses of the firm are eligible for aid.

A further precondition for the aid grant is that the investment must be financed by a bank which has checked the firm's creditworthiness and development prospects

Aid No: XS 41/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Sussex

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Sussex Early Growth Fund

Legal basis: Section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Over two years the government will invest GBP 250000. Private-sector partners will provide a further GBP 250000. Funds will be invested in approximately 10 businesses at an average of GBP 50000 per business. Early returns will be re-invested

Maximum aid intensity: Loans will be offered to businesses at a minimum rate of 5 % over base rate, with the option of an equity share also being taken in the company. The combined effect of the interest rate and equity share is believed to take the cost of the finance to any particular business above the reference rate set for the UK. Where the rate is below the reference rate, this will be taken into account in the calculation of aid intensities. The maximum aid intensity will not exceed 15 % of investment costs in the case of small enterprises and 7,5 % in the case of medium-sized enterprises

Date of implementation: April 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 30 June 2007

Objective of aid: The Early Growth Fund is working with the private sector. The aim of the Fund is to provide risk capital to start up young, growth-oriented businesses. The aid will be calculated on the basis of the costs of specific investments in land, buildings, machinery, equipment and the acquisition of new technology. The Fund also aims to demonstrate to investors that commercial returns can be made from investment in early-growth businesses, as there is a current lack of this type of small-scale finance. Any aid element would be the minimum necessary to encourage investment from the private-sector partners

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors. The scheme does not preclude restricted sectors but the project will not support SMEs in agriculture or fisheries and it is expected that it will not support SMEs in other sensitive sectors, i.e. motor vehicles, synthetic fibres and transport

Name and address of the granting authority: Department of Trade and Industry Small Business Service St Mary's House

Moorfoot

Sheffield S1 4PQ Contact: Ken Cooper Tel. 0114 259 72 78

Other information: The Sussex Early Growth Fund is being created to fill the gap identified in the financial and commercial markets for supporting small and early-stage businesses that require funding to enable them to maximise their commercial potential.

Experience of assisting businesses in Sussex confirms that this is the area of the capital market where new and small businesses find it hardest to obtain adequate support and funding for their ventures. There is a need to stimulate the provision of small amounts of risk capital to start-ups and early-stage growth businesses.

Commercial lenders and investors continue to shun or find it difficult to support companies that require relatively small amounts of risk capital and a significant amount of commercial opportunity is not being developed as a result.

The Sussex Early Growth Fund seeks to address this area of the market with the intention of initially providing direct support to such companies and demonstrating to the market that this is an area of business activity that is viable and able to be supported commercially in the longer term

Aid No: XS 45/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Lazio

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Law No 598/94, Article 11 - Investment subsidies for technological innovation, environmental protection, organisational innovation, commercial innovation and safety at work

Legal basis: - Legge 27.10.1994, n. 598, articolo 11 - come modificato ed integrato da Legge 8.8.1995, n. 341, articolo 3; Legge 23.12.1998, n. 488, articolo 54; Legge 5.3.2001, n. 57, articolo 15;

- Decreto legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 112, articolo 19;

- Decreto legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 123;

- Regolamento CE n. 70 del 12.1.2001;

- Delibera Giunta regionale n. 1670 del 13.12.2002

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 2500000

Maximum aid intensity: Up to the ceilings laid down by Community law

Date of implementation: 1 January 2003 (no aid will be granted in any event before this summary has been notified to the Commission)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The aid is intended to assist investment programmes aimed at technological innovation, environmental protection, organisational and commercial innovation, and safety at work

Economic sector(s) concerned: SMEs operating in certain sectors listed in Sections C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, M and O of the 1991 Italian Statistical Office (ISTAT) classification of economic activities, with the exclusions and restrictions laid down in the Community rules for the steel, shipbuilding, synthetic fibres, motor vehicle and transport industries.

The scheme does not apply to activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Lazio Direzione regionale sviluppo economico Via Cristoforo Colombo, 212 Tel. 06 51 68 32 10 Fax 06 51 68 32 29

Other information: Investments in excess of EUR 1,5 million are not eligible.

The aid scheme does not apply to export-related activities, i.e. aid directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity, and aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

Only expenditure incurred since the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

The aid is granted following a technical, economic and financial assessment aimed at checking:

- the innovative and original nature of the know-how to be acquired;

- the value of that know-how to innovative products and processes that increase competitiveness and encourage development;

- the relevance to programme implementation of the costs listed;

- the feasibility of the results projected by the proposer.

Only consultancy services that are not continuous or regular, or connected with the normal operating expenses of the firm are eligible for aid.

A further precondition for the aid grant is that the investment must be financed by a bank which has checked the firm's creditworthiness and development prospects

Aid No: XS 54/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North East of England

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Romag Ltd - Leadgate Industrial Estate, Consett, Co. Durham DH8 7RS

Legal basis: Regional Development Agency Act 1998

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: - GBP 400000 grant

- Total project value GBP 2365445

Maximum aid intensity: All aid granted will fall within the ceilings expressed in Article 4, points 2 & 3 of the SME Block Exemption for investment aid according to the Assisted Areas map for the North East of England.

A maximum aid intensity of 30 % of the total eligible costs of investment will be provided

Date of implementation: 8 April 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 March 2004

Objective of aid: The North East has a Regional Economic Strategy to remedy its comparative disadvantage to most other EU regions in terms of economic performance and competitiveness.

For SMEs, the strategy seeks to develop targeted programmes that address failures in:

- transfer of technology & knowledge, innovation, R & D levels and investment in areas of high growth potential. Working with regional universities to exploit the region's science base;

- stimulating and establishing a new entrepreneurial culture in renewable energies.

OneNorthEast will deliver this to SMEs through establishing funds to finance:

- Investment aid.

- This project will allow Romag, an SME in an Article 87(3)(c) area, to develop capacity to produce glass laminated solar panels. The company is working with regional and national government so that it can take advantage of the new market opportunities in the renewable market. This has been supported by a regional university offering a strong academic base.

- The assistance to Romag is to be provided in order to assist with the initial investment costs in relation to land, buildings, machinery and equipment.

- Also, the project will enable the company to provide 76 new jobs

Economic sector(s) concerned: The new and renewable energy market

Name and address of the granting authority: Fergus Mitchell

State Aid Coordinator

OneNorthEast Great North House Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ND Tel. 0191 204 22 57

Aid No: XS 66/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Knowledge Exploitation Fund

Legal basis: Section 68 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: - GBP 5 million in 2003/2004 under SME block exemption,

- GBP 7,25 million in 2004/2005 under SME block exemption,

- GBP 10 million in 2005/2006 under SME block exemption

Maximum aid intensity: The scheme will support consultancy and technology transfer for SMEs. The maximum aid intensity will not exceed 50 % of individual project costs for consultancy.

For intangible assets in terms of technology transfer the maximum aid intensity will not exceed:

- In non-assisted regions - 15 % for small firms and 7,5 % for medium-sized firms

- In Article 87(3)(a) regions - up to 50 % for SMEs

- In Article 87(3)(c) regions - up to 30 % for SMEs

Date of implementation: April 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: April 2003-March 2006

Objective of aid: - The primary purpose of the Knowledge Exploitation Fund is to aid SMEs to develop their technology through access to the knowledge and resources in academic institutions to create a high-value, sustainable knowledge economy in Wales.

- The KEF scheme will provide improved access to technology transfer and consultancy support from academic institutions for product development and the introduction of new technologies in SMEs; and consultancy support from academic institutions to assist in the development of intellectual property in SMEs

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors - without prejudice to those sectors governed by other specific rules

Name and address of the granting authority: Derek Adams

Head of Higher Education Division

Department for Training & Education National Assembly for Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Aid No: XS 87/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: SPD 2000-2006 - Measure 1.2 Financial engineering services, sub-measure 1.2.2 Improved access for SMEs to risk capital

Legal basis: Docup Ob. 2 2000-2006 - bando di accesso ai contributi di cui alla DGR n. 1367 approvata dalla giunta regionale in data 23 luglio 2002

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Call for applications 2002:

- EUR 805648,50 for Objective 2 areas

- EUR 352309 for phasing-out areas

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 70/2001, the following rates of aid will be applied: 15 % gge for small firms and 7,5 % gge for medium-sized firms. In the areas qualifying for exemption under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty the rate will be 8 % nge + 10 percentage points gge for small firms and 8 % nge + 6 percentage points gge for medium-sized firms. State aid may not exceed 20 % of paid-up risk capital, and in any event may not exceed EUR 160000

Date of implementation: In accordance with Commission guidelines, aid will be granted for costs incurred by the final recipient from the date of publication of the call for applications

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will be applied in 2002

Objective of aid: The aid is intended for independent or affiliated SMEs whose main activity is classified in sections C, D, E or F of the ISTAT 1991 Code, and SMEs that are engaged in service activities closely connected and related to the development of the above-mentioned productive activities and are set up as companies or corporations.

The objective of the aid is to assist investment and consultancy costs incurred by SMEs in Objective 2 and phasing-out areas in Marche.

Tangible investments

- planning and civil engineering, consultancy costs relating to econo-financial feasibility and environmental impact studies, building permits and statutory inspections (not exceeding 7 % of eligible investment)

- acquisition of land, its development and geological surveys - there should be a specific link between the acquisition of the land and the objectives of the part-financed project (up to 10 % of the eligible investment)

- connection with infrastructure networks with a close link with the machinery and equipment up to a maximum of 20 % of costs

- property to be used for the productive activity - there must be a specific link between the acquisition of existing property in the event of reoccupation or earlier rental, construction, restructuring or extension - excluding administrative expenditure

- new unregistered machinery, plant and mobile equipment

- business IT systems.

Intangible investments

- costs incurred in the acquisition of patent, licence and knowhow rights and the granting of unpatented technical knowledge and software

Economic sector(s) concerned: Firms operating in the following sectors and fields are not eligible:

- steel products listed in Annex 1 to the ECSC Treaty (NACE 221)

- shipbuilding and ship repair (NACE codes 361.1, 361.2)

- manufacture of synthetic fibres (NACE code 260)

- motor vehicle industry (NACE 351)

- processing and marketing of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Marche, Servizio Industria e Artigianato Via Tiziano, 44 I - 60100 Ancona Persona da contattare: Dott. Fabio Belfiori Tel. (39-07) 18 06 36 24

Aid No: XS 92/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Liguria

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Measure 3.2 "Upgrading of port areas" - Submeasure B "Aid to improve tourism facilities in port areas" - Objective 2 single programming document (SPD), Liguria 2000-2006

Legal basis: - Docup Obiettivo 2 Regione Liguria 2000-2006 approvato con Decisione Commissione Europea C(2001) 2044 del 7.9.2001;

- Complemento di Programmazione del Docup Obiettivo 2 Regione Liguria 2000-2006, approvato con Deliberazione Giunta regionale n. 1404 del 30.11.2001;

- Modifiche al Complemento di Programmazione del Docup Obiettivo 2 Regione Liguria 2000-2006, approvate con Deliberazione Giunta regionale n. 694 del 2.7.2002;

- Bando della Misura 3.2 "Riqualificazione aree portuali" - Sottomisura B "Aiuti per la valorizzazione a fini turistici delle aree portuali", approvato con Deliberazione della Giunta regionale n. 923 del 8.8.2002

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total expenditure: for the entire period of the programme, EUR 18040435, in annual instalments;

- to finance the invitation to tender for 2002, EUR 5721441 of public expenditure

Maximum aid intensity: - Non-repayable investment grant with an intensity equivalent to 15 % gge of eligible investment costs for small firms and 7,5 % gge for medium-sized firms, excluding VAT

- non-repayable investment grant with an intensity equivalent to 8 % nge of eligible investment costs + 10 percentage points gge for small firms and 8 % nge + 6 percentage points gge for medium-sized firms, excluding VAT, in areas qualifying for exemption under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty

Date of implementation: 16 September 2002

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December 2006 (Objective 2 areas and areas exempted under Article 87(3)(c))

Objective of aid: The submeasure is intended to promote investments in improving tourism facilities for pleasure boats by supporting the Territorial Coordination Plan for Coastal Areas of Liguria

Economic sector(s) concerned: Tourism operators covered by the 1991 ISTAT Code I.63.22.D. (tourist ports, tourist harbours, shipping harbours, pleasureboat centres), either individually or in association, including cooperatives entered in the register of businesses, and covered by the Community definition of SMEs, as provided for in the Decree of 27 October 1997 of the Ministry for Production Activities

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Liguria Dipartimento Sviluppo Economico Settore Politiche di Sviluppo Industria e Artigianato Via Fieschi, 15 I - 16121 Genova

Aid No: XS 95/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Apulia

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Services to promote the technological competitiveness of SMEs

Legal basis: - Legge 27.10.1994, n. 598, articolo 11 come modificato ed integrato da Legge 8.8.1995, n. 341, articolo 3; Legge 23.12.1999, n. 488, articolo 54; Legge 5.3.2001, n. 57, articolo 15;

- Decreto Legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 112, articolo 19;

- Decreto Legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 123;

- Regolamento CE n. 70 del 12.1.2001;

- Delibera Giunta regionale n. 1376 del 5.10.2001

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 7746853,48

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity for the Region of Apulia on the European regional aid map (35 % nge + 15 % gge)

Date of implementation: No aid will be granted in any event before this summary has been notified to the Commission

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The aid, in the form of interest subsidies and capital contributions, is intended for expenditure on services to promote the technological competitiveness of SMEs

Economic sector(s) concerned: SMEs entered in the register of businesses, excluding investment aimed at the following economic activities:

- farming;

- fisheries;

- steel;

- manufacture of synthetic and artificial fibres;

- shipbuilding;

- transport;

- activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Puglia Assessorato Industria, Commercio e Artigianato Corso Sonnino, 177 I - 70121 Bari (BA)

Other information: This aid scheme does not apply to investments that reach one of the following two thresholds:

(a) the eligible costs of the whole project total at least EUR 25 million and, in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 % of the net aid ceiling as determined in the regional aid map for the area concerned,

or

(b) the total gross aid amounts to at least EUR 15 million.

The aid scheme does not apply to export-related activities, i.e. aid directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity, and aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

Only expenditure incurred since the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

The expenditure on services to promote technological competitiveness that is eligible for aid must not be continuous or regular, or connected with the normal operating expenses of the firm.

A further precondition for the aid grant is that the investment must be financed by a bank which has checked the firm's creditworthiness and development prospects