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   (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2005-06-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, State aid, control of State aid, small and medium-sized enterprises

C 156/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

28.6.2005

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

(2005/C 156/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XS 57/2002

Member State: Germany

Region: Brandenburg

the Ministry of Labour,
Title of aid scheme: Directive of
Social Affairs, Health and Women on grants for the design and
implementation of innovative model solutions to the safe devel-
opment of jobs and technology. (SiGAT-Teil A (EFRE): Promo-
tion of
in development of people-friendly tech-
nology

investment

Legal basis: Landeshaushaltsordnung des Landes Brandenburg
(LHO) § 44 und die dazugehörigen Verwaltungsvorschriften

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: The aid
intensity is max. 50 % (max. 30 % in the Berlin labour market
region) of eligible expenditure, subject to a ceiling of EUR
200 000. It also applies to any combination of aid with other
public measures.

Expenditure in:

— 2001-05 (per year):

EUR 920 321 from the ERDF and

EUR 920 320 from Land resources

— 2006:

EUR 1 380 488 from the ERDF and

EUR 1 380 488 from Land resources

Maximum aid intensity: EUR 200 000

Date of implementation: The Directive was published in the
Brandenburg Official Gazette No 19 of 8 May 2002 (p. 506).

Duration of scheme: Until 30 April 2006

Objective: SMEs play a crucial role in job creation and are
one of the pillars of social stability and economic dynamism.
For these reasons, they should be granted assistance. Owing to
a lack of resources, some of them do not possess information
on such important matters as new technologies, development
of new markets and preventive workplace protection.

healthy working conditions in SMEs in Brandenburg. The
conditions necessary for enhanced productivity will be created
by investing in measures to maintain and create competitive
jobs and, at the same time, by developing people-friendly forms
of work. These conditions will stem from efficient work
processes, less absenteeism, smooth production processes and a
more motivated and more efficient workforce.

Aid will be granted only to measures that go beyond the new
labour-protection legislation and take account in an innovative
fashion of matters to do with the development of means of
work, jobs and work processes conducive to the health of the
workforce. The measures can be subsumed under the concepts
in Article 2(c) and (d) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of
12 January 2001.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All economic sectors

Aid to firms engaged in the production, processing or
marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty is
excluded, as is the granting of aid for export-related activities
and aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported
goods.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg
Steinstraße 104 — 106
D-14480 Potsdam

Aid No: XS 66/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Lombardy

transport-sector
Title of aid scheme: Aid in favour of
company Bresciane Artigiane for expenditure incurred for advi-
sory and/or specialist services used to qualify for enrolment in
the register of waste-management companies — 2004/05

The aid is aimed at improving economic efficiency and safe-
long-term employment by creating safe and
guarding stable,

Legal basis: Art. 12 L. 7 agosto 1990, n. 241, Deliberazione
camerali n. 236 del 18.11.2003 e n. 9 del 9.2.2004 — Determi-
nazione dirigenziale n. 15/AV del 25.2.2004

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C 156/15

Annual expenditure planned: EUR 20 000,00

— minimum eligible expenditure: EUR 2 500,00 (excluding

VAT)

Maximum aid intensity: Expenditure incurred for advisory
and specialist services and for the drawing-up of the technical
part of the application for enrolment in the register of waste-
management companies:

— minimum eligible expenditure: EUR 1 400,00 (excluding

VAT)

— grant: 50 % of expenditure with a maximum of EUR 1 500

per business

Date of implementation: 1.3.2004

Duration of scheme: Until 28.2.2005

Objective of aid: To help with transport-sector companies'
expenditure needed to qualify for enrolment in the register of
waste-management companies (art. 30 D. lgs. 22/1997 e art. 8
D.M. dell'Ambiente 406/1998)

Economic sectors concerned: Transport

Name and address of the granting authority:

Industry, Craft and Agriculture of

Chamber of Commerce,
Brescia
Via Orzinuovi N. 3
25125 Brescia, Italia
Tel: 0303514335
E-mail: buriani@bs.camcom.it

— grant: 15 % of expenditure with a maximum of EUR 800

per business

Date of implementation: 1.3.2004

Duration of scheme: Until 28.2.2005

Objective of aid: To promote the purchase and installation of
special IT tools (hardware and/or software) needed to set up
computer links with logistical platforms and specific databases
with a view to encouraging full use of cargo transport,
including on return trips

Economic sectors concerned: Transport

Name and address of the granting authority:

Industry, Craft and Agriculture of

Chamber of Commerce,
Brescia
Via Orzinuovi N. 3
25125 Brescia, Italia
Tel: 0303514335
E- mail: buriani@bs.camcom.it

Aid No: XS 69/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Sardinia

Aid No: XS 67/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Lombardy

Title of aid scheme: Aid in favour of the transport-sector
company Bresciane Artigiane to set up links with IT logistical
platforms, needed to encourage full use of
transport —
2004/05

Legal basis: Art. 12 L. 7 agosto 1990, n. 241, Deliberazione
camerali n. 236 del 18.11.2003 e n. 9 del 9.2.2004 — Determi-
nazione dirigenziale n. 15/AV del 25.2.2004

Annual expenditure planned: EUR 50 000,00

Title of aid scheme: Contributions for the construction of
photovoltaic facilities in Sardinia as part of the ‘Tetti Fotovol-
taici’ programme

Legal basis:

Delibera di Giunta. 7/30 del 26.02.2004

Decreti Ministero Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio 24 luglio
2002 e 11 aprile 2003

Annual expenditure planned: EUR 1 406 877,46

Maximum aid intensity:

gge(15 %) + nge(<35 %)

(gge + nge) < 50 % Investment cost

Maximum aid intensity: Purchase and installation of special
IT tools (hardware and/or software) needed to set up computer
links with logistical platforms and specific databases with a
view to encouraging full use of cargo transport, including on
return trips:

Date of implementation: 19.7.2004

Duration of scheme: Until 17.10.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

28.6.2005

Objective of aid: To combine the development of renewable
sources of energy limiting environmental pollution within the
region (with particular reference to the overall objectives set
out in the Kyoto protocol and in European Union provisions)
and the implementation of socio-economic development policy
in the areas benefiting from the aid (with particular emphasis
on employment
levels, growth and the competitiveness of
industry) with various opportunities to cover and promote
local resources.

Economic sectors concerned: All economic sectors excluding
activities relating to the production, processing or marketing of
products listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty.

worsening environmental problems at local level and to signifi-
cantly cover the country's shortage of installations for handling
industrial and other waste.

Economic sector(s) concerned: Treatment, processing and
recovery of industrial waste

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministry of Development
Secretariat-General for Industry
Industrial Siting and Environment Directorate
Director: Ioannis Patiris
Tel: 210 6969268
Fax: 210 6969243

Remarks: Aid is given exclusively to small and medium-sized
enterprises, as defined in the Commission Recommendation
96/280/CE, their consortia and companies.

Other information: The aid concerns Action 2.9.4 in the
Competitiveness Operational Programme, which is
jointly
financed by the Structural Funds

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Autonoma della Sardegna
Assessorato dell'Industria — Servizio Energia
Viale Trento n. 69 — 09123 Gagliari

Aid No: XS 89/03

Member State: Greece

Region: Whole country

Aid No: XS 90/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North East of England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Hoults Estates Ltd

Legal basis: Section 2 Local Government Act 2000

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

Source of Funds

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Aid for SMEs (as defined in the Commission
recommendation of 3 April 1996) for the establishment/exten-
sion of waste treatment and/or recovery units

Public

Newcastle City Council-
TWEDCO

Legal basis: Π∆ 93/97 (ΦΕΚ 92/Α/16-5-97)
‘Όροι και διαδι-
κασίες για την ένταξη και χρηµατοδότηση έργων του ιδιωτικού
τοµέα σε προγράµµατα ή τµήµατά του Υπουργείου Ανάπτυξης τα
οποία αναφέρονται στους τοµείς βιοµηχανίας, ενέργειας, έρευνας
και τεχνολογίας’

Public

Newcastle City Council (De
minimis Funding)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall
amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total
budget (public and private expenditure) EUR 25 385 179 for
the period up to 2006. The Action is being announced for the
first time in 2003 with a budget (public and private expendi-
ture) of EUR 11 000 000 and is expected to be re-announced
in 2004.

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % only grant (this amount does
not exceed the regional aid map ceilings approved for Greece
plus 15 % for SMEs)

Date of implementation: First call for projects July 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 2003-2006

Private

Hoults Estates

ERDF

Capital

Total

Objective of aid: The aim of the Action is to boost entrepre-
to tackle
neurship in the waste treatment/recovery sector,

Grand Total

2003

2004

Total

2003

2004

Total

2003

2004

Total

2003

2004

Total

2003

2004

Total

GBP 33 252

GBP 9 657

GBP 42 909

GBP 60 000

0

GBP 60 000

GBP 405 523

GBP 135 196

GBP 540 719

GBP 166 258

GBP 48 284

GBP 214 542

GBP 665 033

GBP 193 137

GBP 858 170

GBP 858 170

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 156/17

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity will be
30 % (Assisted area 20 % for Newcastle upon Tyne under Art
87(3)(c) + 10 % to reach the maximum aid intensity of 30 %)

Date of implementation: 14 July 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 30 June 2005

Objective of aid: The project involves a major re-adaptation
of a 19th century building, which is currently unoccupied. It
involves the creation of new modern units for SMEs over 36
months old. The project does not relate to a low level of adap-
tation to create these units.

The project identifies the demand needed for these incubator
units in an area where there is market failure shown by current
demand models. The investment in Hoults is a core activity to
provide SME business units.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All eligible industry sectors
(Without prejudice to special rules concerning State aid in
certain sectors — Art. 1(2) of the SME block exemption regula-
tions)

Name and address of granting authority:

ERDF Contact:
Ann Beavers
European Programme Secretariat
Government Office North East
Wellbar House
Gallowgate
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4TD

Sponsor Contact:
Mr Fred Hoult
Hoults (Cumberland) Limited
Ford Depositories
Walker Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE6 2HL

Aid No: XS 99/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Wales

2003: GBP 60 000

2004: GBP 125 000

2005: GBP 125 000

2006: GBP 65 000

Total: GBP 375 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % grants offered, up to a
maximum of GBP 5 000. Two types of grant available:

— feasibility grant for the employment of consultants;

— marketing grant to help finance expenditure by the firm on

its initial participation at fairs and exhibitions.

Date of implementation: 1 September 2003

Duration of
December 2006

scheme or

individual

aid award: Until

Objective of the aid:

1. To assist SMEs in implementing marketing strategies and
new strategic activity for projects aimed at boosting sales
within the UK.

2. To assist SMEs in obtaining professional, external advice
with a view to raising funds for future expansion projects or
in examining the feasibility of new projects.

3. Feasibility grant for the employment of consultants.

Economic sectors concerned: All eligible sectors, without
prejudice to special rules concerning State aid in certain sectors
— Art. 1(2) of the SME Block Exemption Regulation

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ms Rachel Moxey
Business Services
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Business Resource Centre
Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate
Tredegar NP22 3AA
United Kingdom

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Nurturing Competitive Enterprises

Legal basis: Local Government Act 2000

Aid No: XS 104/03

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:

Member State: Netherlands

Region: North Netherlands (Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe)

GBP 125 000 in total to be made available in small grants each
year

Name of company receiving individual aid: Stichting Indus-
trie- en handelsgebouwen Groningen (SIG Real Estate)

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Official Journal of the European Union

28.6.2005

Legal basis: Besluitvorming dd 19 juni 2003 van de Bestuurscom-
missie Economische Zaken van het Samenwerkingsverband Noord-
Nederland, zijnde een openbaar
lichaam op grond van de Wet
Gemeenschappelijke Regelingen. De subsidieverleningsbeschikking is
nog niet naar de indiener verstuurd, aangezien deze nog aanvullende
informatie aan dient te leveren alvorens een subsidieverleningsbeschik-
king naar de indiener verstuurd kan worden.

Total amount of individual aid granted to the compa-
ny: The decision of the day-to-day management of the North
Netherlands Cooperation Association concerns a contribution
to the project's investment costs of an amount of EUR 233 690
from EZ/Kompas funds (i.e. approximately 3,1 % of the total
eligible costs of EUR 7 631 176) and an amount of EUR
996 262 from EFRO/Kompas funds (i.e. approximately 13,1 %
of the total eligible costs). The decision was taken under the
2000-06 regional economic development programme for
North Netherlands entitled ‘Compass for the North’. The total
government contribution to the project's investment costs is
EUR 1 229 952 (i.e. approximately 16,1 % of the total eligible
costs).

Maximum aid intensity: 16,1 %

Date of implementation: The implementation date still has to
be set. The aid award has not yet been notified to the applicant
pending the receipt of requested additional
information (the
applicant must give an undertaking to the effect that it will
seek tenants for the Helpmancentrale from among the target
group of (young) dynamic commercial SMEs in the field of new
media and ICT).

Duration of scheme: Date on which the final instalment will
be paid: February 2005

Objective of the aid: The granting of aid for investment in
the conversion by SIG Real Estate of a distinctive former power
station (‘Helpmancentrale’)
into a multiple occupancy building
for media- and broadband-related activities. Under the standard
conditions attached to the grant, the function served by the
premises will have to be maintained for a period of five years
after the grant has been definitively established.

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority:

Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland
c/o Postbus 779
9700 AT Groningen

Other information: The measure concerns ad hoc aid for
investments in fixed assets by a small, independent enterprise,
as defined in Annex I to 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.

Aid No: XS 109/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Lombardy

Title of aid scheme: Priority 1 ‘Improving the competitiveness
of the economic system in Lombardy’

Measure 1.3 ‘Incentives for modernisation and upgrading of
tourist accommodation’

Legal basis:

— Docup ob. 2 2000/2006 Lombardia

— Decisione 2001 (CE) 2878 del 10.12.2001

— Regolamento 70/2001

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme:

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Objective 2

Phasing out

EUR 1 000 000,00

EUR 125 000,00

EUR 1 400 000,00

EUR 125 602,00

EUR 2 200 000,00

EUR 375 000,00

EUR 2 400 000,00

EUR 300 000,00

EUR 1 000 000,00

Maximum aid intensity: for investment:

— 15 % gge for small businesses (8 % nge + 10 percentage

points gge in areas exempted under Article 87(3)(c)

— 7,5 % gge for medium-sized businesses (8 % nge + 6
under

exempted

points

areas

gge

in

percentage
Article 87(3)(c)

for other eligible expenditure (Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No
70/2001):

— 50 % gge.

Assistance may not,
expenditure.

in any event, exceed 30 % of eligible

Date of implementation: 28.8.2002

Duration of scheme: 31.12.2006

Objective of aid: The measure is
intended to upgrade,
improve and diversify tourist accommodation, with priority
given to integrated regional development programmes aimed at
making greater use of
in the area. The
measure will provide support for programmes for the construc-
tion
and
improvement of hotel and other facilities, the development of
installations and ancillary services to support and integrate
tourism, the use of network technologies and the introduction
of environmental quality certification processes.

extension, modernisation

tourism potential

reconstruction,

and

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C 156/19

Economic sectors concerned: Tourism

Aid No: XS 112/03

Name and address of
Lombardia

the granting authority: Regione

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North West England

Aid No: XS 110/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual award: West Lancashire ‘Investing in Business’ regen-
eration programme

Legal basis: Section 33, Local Government and Housing Act
1989

Region: Objective 1 West Wales and the Valleys Programme
Area

Section 2, Local Government Act

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Creating Lean Enterprises

Legal basis: Industrial Development Act 1982, Sections 7 &
11.

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

2003: GBP 84 000

2004: GBP 335 000

2005: GBP 302 000

2006: GBP 77 000

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum of 50 % of one-off
consultancy costs

Date of implementation: 21 October 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 3 years

Objective of aid: Many SMEs in the Objective 1 area are not
implementing best practice in their production processes. The
cost of accessing the relevant expertise can be prohibitive and
is a barrier to development. This aid scheme will provide
consultancy advice on lean methodologies and so improve
SME's efficiency, performance and sustainability.

Economic sectors concerned: All eligible industry sectors
without prejudice to special rules concerning State aid in
certain sectors. Article 1 paragraph 2 of the SME Block Exemp-
tion Regulations.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Helen Usher
Welsh European Funding Office
Cwm Cynon Business Park
Mountain Ash
CF45 4ER

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

2003/04: GBP 233 370

2004/05: GBP 786 774

2005/06: GBP 2 323 548

2006/07: GBP 3 483 548

2007/08: GBP 1 023 548

2008/09: GBP 149 212

Total:

GBP 8 000 000

Actual amounts in each year may vary somewhat, but the total
is fixed.

Maximum aid intensity: West Lancashire
is an Article
87(3)(c) area qualifying for regional investment aid of 20 %. An
additional 10 % is available to SMEs, thus totalling a maximum
aid intensity of 30 %.

Date of implementation: 7 November 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: To June 2007
in accordance with the current regulations. Following this, the
programme will comply with the regulations then in force.

in achieving the objectives of

Objective of aid: Aid will be granted to SMEs undertaking
projects that will assist
the
NWDA Regional Economic Strategy 2003 and the West Lanca-
shire Local Strategic Partnership's Community Strategy. These
include exploiting business growth potential,
improving the
competitiveness and productivity of businesses, developing a
healthy labour market and securing economic inclusion.

The objective of the aid is to improve the competitiveness,
productivity and job creation capabilities of SMEs in West
Lancashire through development of new products, new and
expanded businesses and improvements to business processes.
The objectives will be achieved through capital investment in
land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and technology
transfer in relation to the extension of an existing business or
creation of a new business.

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Economic sector(s) concerned: All eligible industry sectors
without prejudice to special rules concerning State aid in
certain sectors — Article 1 paragraph 2 of the SME block
exemption regulation.

Objective of aid: The purpose of the aid is to upgrade the
tourist facilities of the Region of Calabria by creating new high-
quality accommodation, with emphasis on promoting the local
architectural heritage.

Name and address of the granting authority: The granting
authority is the West Lancashire Local Strategic Partnership,
and the programme is administered on its behalf by West
Lancashire District Council. The contact for both of these is:

Gary S. Jones
Regeneration Manager, West Lancashire District Council
Technology Management Centre
White Moss Business Park, Moss Lane View
Skelmersdale, Lancs. WN8 9TN

Aid No: XS 127/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Calabria

Title of aid scheme: Aid for the creation of new high-quality
accommodation within local
tourist networks and systems
offered by small and medium-sized firms — Measure 4.4.
Action (b) of the Regional Operational Programme for Calabria
for 2000-2006

Legal basis:

— L.R. 7/2001 art. 31 quater

— Decisione C.E. dell'8 agosto 2000 n. 2345

— D.G.R. n. 398 del 14.05.2002

Annual
83 000 000 divided between:

expenditure planned: Overall budget of

EUR

— type 4.4.b.1 (new classified hotel and non-hotel accommo-

dation): EUR 80 000 000;

— type 4.4.b.2 (conversion of buildings of special historic and
accommodation) EUR

into high-quality

value

artistic
3 000 000.

Planned expenditure 2003: EUR 16 600 000

Planned expenditure 2004: EUR 22 200 000

Planned expenditure 2005: EUR 22 200 000

Planned expenditure 2006: EUR 22 000 000

The initiatives funded are carried out within local networks and
systems where there is a real demand that cannot be met in
terms of quantity and/or quality.

Measures eligible for aid must consist of comprehensive and
operationally independent programmes, capable of achieving
the productive, economic and employment objectives on their
own.

sectors

Economic
including
measures in the agritourism and rural tourism sector financed
by the EAGGF.

concerned: Tourism,

not

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Calabria (sede legale)
Via Massara, n. 2
88100 Catanzaro

Aid No: XS 128/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Calabria

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Aid for investments carried out by SMEs in the
following sectors:
information technology and telematics,
textiles, and leather and similar products — Measure 4.2
Action (c) of the Calabria Regional Operational Programme for
2000-2006 (‘Attraction of strategic business initiatives for
regional development
inter-regional
production collaboration’).

and development of

Legal basis:

— Legge regionale n. 7/2001 art. 31 quarter

— Decisione C.E. dell'8 agosto 2000 no 2345

— Deliberazioni di Giunta regionale 23.05.2001, n. 439 e
con Deliberazioni

31.05.2001,
08.01.2002, n. 14 e 29.01.2002, n. 63.

integrate

470,

n.

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of indivi-
dual aid granted to the company:

Total budget: EUR 54 932 200

Maximum aid intensity: Capital contribution of 50 % of
eligible expenditure with a maximum grant of up to 75 % of
the net value of the investment.

Planned expenditure 2003: EUR 10 000 000

Planned expenditure 2004: EUR 13 000 000

Date of implementation: 1 October 2003

Planned expenditure 2005: EUR 13 000 000

Duration of scheme: 31 December 2006

Planned expenditure 2006: EUR 18 932 000

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Maximum aid intensity: Capital
a
maximum aid intensity of 50 % nge + 15 % gge of the value of
the investment.

contribution, with

Date of implementation: 1 October 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December
2006

Objective of aid: The purpose of the aid is to attract strategic
business initiatives for regional development and to develop
inter-regional production collaboration, by supporting projects
in the relevant sectors.

There will be two types of aid; the first designed to attract stra-
tegic business initiatives for regional development, aimed at
medium-sized businesses;
the second designed to support
production collaboration projects between individual businesses
or business systems, aimed at small businesses.

Economic sectors concerned: Information technology and
telematics; textiles; leather goods and similar.

Name and address of the granting authority:
Regione Calabria (sede legale)
Via Massara, n. 2
88100 Catanzaro

Aid No: XS 129/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Friuli — Venezia Giulia

Title of aid scheme: Financing for craft firms for research,
development and technology transfers

Legal basis: Decreto del Presidente della Regione n. 0362/Pres. Del
10/10/2003

Annual expenditure planned:

2004: EUR 800 000

2005: EUR 800 000

2006: EUR 800 000

Maximum aid intensity: Up to the ceilings laid down in the
Community rules on aid to small and medium-sized firms and
in the regional aid map:

— for

the acquisition of patents,

trade marks, operating
licences for new production cycle technologies, and to
improve the quality of products,
their distribution and
environmental protection: 15 % gge for small firms and
7,5 % gge for medium-sized firms; for investments in areas
exempted under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty: 8 % nge
+ 10 % gge for small
firms; 8 % nge + 6 % gge for
medium-sized firms;

— for

the drawing-up of

feasibility studies and research
projects for submission to the State or the European Union
in order to apply for research and development aid: 50 %
of the costs of the services provided by consultants outside
the firm, up to a maximum of EUR 5 000,00

Date of implementation: Entry into force of the Regulation:
5 November 2003

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006, and for a
possible further adjustment period of not more than six
months, as provided for in Article 10 of Commission Regu-
lation (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.

Objective of aid: Aid to craft SMEs to encourage technolo-
gical innovation and research and grants for intangible invest-
ments and the acquisition of services provided by external
consultants.

Recipients: craft firms engaged in production activities and the
provision of production services, their consortia and companies
set up by their consortia, including cooperatives, falling within
the definition of small or medium-sized firms laid down in
Annex I to 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.
From 1 January 2005, the new definition of micro, small and
medium-sized firms will apply, as provided for in the Commis-
sion Recommendation of 6 May 2003, published in Official
Journal of the European Union L 124 of 20 May 2003

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors with the exception
of firms operating in sectors of activity linked to the produc-
tion, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to
the Treaty establishing the European Community, as well as
firms in sensitive sectors.

Name and address of the granting authority: Direzione
regionale dell'artigianato e della cooperazione — Servizio per
lo sviluppo dell'artigianato

Via Giulia 75/1
34100 Trieste
Telephone: 040-3774822
Fax: 040-3774810
e-mail: dir.art.coop@regione.fvg.it

Further information: The scheme is in accordance with Regu-
lation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001.

The Regional authorities undertake to amend the definition of
SMEs with effect from 1 January 2005, as proposed by the
Commission in its Recommendation of 6 May 2003
concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003).