Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2004/C 16/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision: 29.10.2003

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 116/03

Title: Research project "Lithography methods for nanoelectronic components"

Objective: Promotion of R & D in the lithography field

Legal basis: Haushaltsgesetz Sektion 30 Kapitel 6 (Einzelplan), für den Geschäftsbereich des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung mit Fachtitel Elektronik (68317) finanziert

Budget: EUR 104 million over four years

Aid intensity or amount: Intensities vary according to the different sub-projects. The total aid intensity of 36 %, will not be exceeded even if bonuses are granted in individual cases.

The aid intensity is increased by:

- 10 percentage points, as the aid is to be given to SMEs;

- 10 percentage points, as the aid is to be given to enterprises in assisted Areas 87 (3) (a);

- 10 percentage points, as the aid is to be given to projects carried out in the framework of true crossboundary co-operation involving at least two independent partners from different Member States and/or in the framework of true co-operation between companies and public research establishments.

Altogether, including top-ups, not exceeding 75 % for industrial research and 50 % for precompetitive development

Duration: Four years from Commission's approval

Other information: Background N 388/02

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.12.2003

Member State: Spain

Aid No: N 168/03

Title: Modification of scheme N 633/2000 - Aid for training

Objective: Training aid

Legal basis: Orden de 14 de enero de 2000 por la que se aprueban las bases reguladoras que han de regir las subvenciones relativas a las acciones de formación ocupacional y a fines de carácter ocupacional que promueve la Dirección General de Ocupación del Departamento de Trabajo de la Generalitat de Cataluña

Budget: EUR 18684641

Aid intensity or amount: For large enterprises: 50 % for general training and 25 % for specific training. For SMEs: 35 % for specific training and 70 % for general training

Duration: To 31 December 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 6.10.2003

Member State: United Kingdom (Wales)

Aid No: N 281/03

Title: Rescue and restructuring aid scheme for Wales

Objective: Rescue and restructuring - All sectors except steel, agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries

Legal basis: Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 (as amended)

Budget: GBP 7 million per year (around EUR 10,1 million)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to EUR 10 million per beneficiary

Duration: Until the end of 2009

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.12.2003

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 282/03

Title: Cumbria Breedband Project ACCESS

Objective: The project seeks to ensure the provision of high-speed broadband services within a rural and remote area in the UK

Legal basis: 5(1) of the "Regions Development Agency Act 1998"

Duration: 3 years, possible extension of a maximum period of 2 years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.11.2003

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 296/03

Title: Liquidity Fund II Berlin

Objective: The scheme provides restructuring loans for SMEs in difficulty

Legal basis: Richtlinie für den Liquiditätsfonds II Berlin

Budget: Overall budget EUR 25 million

Aid intensity or amount: In general up to EUR 1 million per beneficiary, in well-founded exceptional cases up to EUR 2,5 million per beneficiary

Duration: Until 30 September 2013

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 1.12.2003

Member State: France (Overseas departments)

Aid No: N 422/03

Title: FIRM - Martinique

Objective: Regional aid

Legal basis: Docup Martinique 2000-2006 + appel d'offres + mandat de gestion

Budget: EUR 12300000 of which EUR 7,316 million supplied by the Regional Council

Aid intensity or amount: Partly operating aid, otherwise venture capital; the benefit can be put at 5 % NGE

Duration: To 31 December 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 11.11.2003

Member State: France

Aid No: N 442/03

Title: Matra/Romorantin, Training Aid

Objective: Training aid in the motor vehicle sector

Legal basis: Ad hoc aid

Budget: EUR 5,003 million

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 1,407 million

Duration: 2003

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.12.2003

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 717/02

Title: Excise tax reduction for biofuels

Objective: Environmental aid

Legal basis: Legge finanziaria 2001

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 12911000 annually without VAT

Duration: 3 years

Other information: Italy committed itself to monitor annually the production cost and modify the scheme accordingly if overcompensation occurs

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.12.2003

Member State: France [Region eligible under Article 87(3)(a)]

Aid No: N 96a/03

Title: Overseas Programme Law - Title I: Measures to promote employment

Objective: Regional aid:

1. Exemption from employers' social security contributions

2. Support for recruitment of young graduates

3. Contract for access to employment

Legal basis: Loi de programmation pour l'Outre Mer

Budget: Measure 1: EUR 37200000 per year. Measure 2: EUR 1752000 in 2003, EUR 2628000 in 2004, 3504000 EUR in 2005. Measure 3: 35388687 EUR in 2003

Aid intensity or amount: Operating aid

Duration: 15 years - approval until end-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 11.11.2003

Member State: France

Aid No: N 96b/03

Title: Programme Law for the Overseas Territories - Title II: tax aid for investment

Objective: Regional development. Comments: Investment and operating aid

Legal basis: Articles 199 undecies A et B, 217 bis modifié, 217 undecies du Code Général des Impôts

Budget: EUR 171000000. Comments: This amount corresponds to the additional costs incurred as a result of the amendments to the existing provisions

Aid intensity or amount: Article 199 undecies B: 50-70 %, Article 217 undecies: 33,33 %

Duration: 15 years - approved until end 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.2.2002

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: NN 35/02

Title: Government insurance scheme against the risks of war for the aviation sector.

Objective: Establishment for airlines and other aviation sector enterprises established in the Netherlands of insurance cover similar to that existing before 11 September 2001 relating to risks of war and terrorism

Legal basis: - Verzekeringsovereenkomst luchtvaartuigen op basis van artikel 4 van de Zee- en luchtverzekeringswet van 1939

- Garantieovereenkomst tussen de staat en dienstenleveranciers in de luchtvaartsector

Budget: State-issued insurance

Duration: From 24 September 2001 to 24 October 2001 initially

Other information: Amended scheme renewed for the period from 24 October 2001 to 31 December, notified in the context of this aid

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids