natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
By letter of 23 December 2002, registered as received on 3 January 2003, Portugal notified under the Multisectoral Framework on regional aid for large investment projects [2] (hereinafter the Multisectoral Framework) its intention to grant investment aid to Infineon Technologies-Fabrico de Semiconductores, Portugal, SA (hereinafter Infineon Portugal).
Portugalska je v pismu z dne 23. decembra 2002, ki je bilo registrirano 3. januarja 2003, v skladu z Večsektorskim okvirom za regionalno pomoč, namenjeno večjim investicijskim projektom [2] (v nadaljnjem besedilu „Večsektorski okvir“), sporočila svoj namen, da bo dodelila pomoč za naložbe družbi Infineon Technologies – Fabrico de Semicondutores, Portugalska, SA (v nadaljnjem besedilu „Infineon Portugal“).
The proposed aid was registered under number N 1/03.
Načrtovana pomoč je bila registrirana pod številko N/1/2003.
The Commission acknowledged receipt by letter of 15 January 2003.
Komisija je potrdila prejem s pismom z dne 15. januarja 2003.
By letter of 17 January 2003, it informed Portugal that the notification was considered incomplete and raised a series of questions.
Komisija je v pismu z dne 17. januarja 2003 obvestila Portugalsko, da se njeno obvestilo šteje za nepopolno in da ima v zvezi z njim več vprašanj.
Following a reminder from the Commission, Portugal submitted additional information by letter of 6 May 2003, registered as received on the following day.
Potem ko je Komisija poslala opozorilo, je Portugalska predložila dodatne podatke v pismu z dne 6. maja 2003, ki je bilo registrirano naslednji dan.
By letter of 9 July 2003 (C(2003) 2004 fin), the Commission informed Portugal that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid.
Komisija je s pismom z dne 9. julija 2003 (C(2003)2004 konč.) obvestila Portugalsko o odločitvi za sprožitev postopka, predvidenega v členu 88(2) Pogodbe ES, v zvezi s pomočjo.
The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Union [3].
Odločba Komisije, da sproži postopek, je bila objavljena v Uradnem listu Evropske unije [3].
The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid measure.
Komisija je povabila zainteresirane strani, da predložijo svoje pripombe o ukrepu pomoči.
By letters Nos 2531 of 6 August 2003 (registered as received on 13 August) and 2540 of 7 August 2003 (registered as received on 19 August), Portugal gave its reaction to the decision to initiate the procedure.
Portugalska je posredovala svoj odgovor na sprožitev postopka v pismih št. 2531 z dne 6. avgusta 2003 (registrirano 13. avgusta 2003) in št. 2540 z dne 7. avgusta 2003 (registrirano kot prispelo 19. avgusta 2003).
The Commission received comments from four interested parties.
Komisija je prejela stališča štirih zainteresiranih strani.
These were forwarded to Portugal, which was given the opportunity to react.
Stališča so bila poslana Portugalski, ki je lahko izrazila mnenje o njih.
Its observations were received by letter No 825 of 15 December 2003 (registered as received on 23 December).
Pripombe Portugalske je Komisija prejela v pismu št. 825 z dne 15. decembra 2003 (registrirano kot prispelo 23. decembra 2003).
The beneficiary
Upravičenec
Infineon Portugal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Infineon Technologies NV, which is itself controlled by Infineon Technologies AG (hereinafter Infineon).
Infineon Portugal je hčerinska družba v stoodstotni lasti družbe Infineon Technologies, NV, ki jo nadzoruje družba Infineon Technologies AG (v nadaljnjem besedilu Infineon).
Infineon is the parent company of a large international group with four main divisions: wireline communications, secure mobile solutions, memories, and automotive and industrial.
Infineon je matična družba velike mednarodne skupine, ki je sestavljena iz štirih glavnih divizij: žičnih komunikacij, varnih rešitev za mobilno telefonijo, področja pomnilniške tehnologije ter avtomobilskega in industrijskega sektorja.
Infineon went public in March 2000 and is a spin-off from Siemens AG comprising its semiconductor activities.
Začetek javnega vpisa kapitala družbe Infineon je bil marca 2000, družba pa se je odcepila od družbe Siemens AG, vključno z dejavnostmi na področju polprevodnikov.
Infineon Portugal belongs to the memory products segment and designs, develops, manufactures and markets semiconductor memory products.
Družba Infineon Portugalska se ukvarja s pomnilniškimi izdelki: načrtuje, razvija, izdeluje in trži polprevodniške izdelke za pomnilnike.
It is a back-end unit active in the assembly, final testing and packaging of 64 MB, 128 MB and 265 MB DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memory).
Družba Infineon Portugalska je zaključna proizvodna enota, ki se ukvarja s sestavljanjem, končnim testiranjem in pakiranjem pomnilnikov DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) velikosti 64 MB, 128 MB in 265 MB.
According to the Portuguese authorities, the Infineon plant located in Portugal is the only back-end unit in the DRAM production sector in Europe.
Zmogljivosti družbe Infineon na Portugalskem so po podatkih portugalskih oblasti edina hrbtna enota v proizvodnem sektorju pomnilnikov DRAM v Evropi.
Portugal has submitted the following data on turnover and employment for Infineon, broken down by the world, EEA and Portuguese markets.
Portugalska je predložila naslednje podatke o prihodkih od prodaje in zaposlenosti za družbo Infineon glede na celotni trg, trg EGP in portugalski trg.
Turnover figures
Promet
(in million EUR)
(v milijonih eurov)
Worldwide
Svet
Turnover
Prihodki od prodaje
Workforce
Zaposlenost
The investment project is located in Vila do Conde (Grande Porto), an assisted area under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty in which the maximum permitted aid intensity for the support of new investments is 32 % net in the case of large enterprises.
Naložbeni projekt je v mestu Vila do Conde (Porto z okolico), na področju, ki prejema pomoč v skladu s pododstavkom (a) člena 87(3) Pogodbe ES in v katerem znaša največja dovoljena intenzivnost pomoči za podporo novim naložbam neto 32 % za velika podjetja.
The project was started in June 2000 and completed in September 2003.
Izvajanje projekta se je začelo junija 2000, končalo pa septembra 2003.
The investment was aimed at increasing the company’s competitiveness by extending production from 16 MB and 64 MB DRAMs to 256 MB and 512 MB DRAMs.
Naložba je bila namenjena povečanju konkurenčnosti družbe z razširitvijo proizvodnje pomnilnikov DRAM z velikosti 16 MB in 64 MB na velikosti 256 MB in 512 MB.
In addition, the company introduced ‘board on chip’ technology, which increased the value of the final product.
Družba je poleg tega uvedla tako imenovano tehnologijo „board-on-chip“ (novo vrsto pakiranja spominskih čipov), ki je povečala vrednost končnega izdelka.
It launched a new product, Chip Sized Package, a smaller type of memory.
Družba Infineon Portugal je dala na trg nov izdelek, manjši pomnilnik v obliki „čipnega paketa“.
Prior to completion of the investment project, Infineon Portugal produced some 2 million chips per week.
Pred izvedbo naložbenega projekta je družba Infineon Portugal izdelala približno 2 milijona čipov na teden.
After completion, its production capacity increased to 5 million chips per week.
Po zaključku projekta je proizvodna zmogljivost narasla na 5 milijonov čipov na teden.
The capacity increase resulting from the project was therefore 150 %.
Povečanje zmogljivosti zaradi izvajanja projekta je tako znašalo 150 %.
According to the Portuguese authorities, Infineon has a 3,5 % share of the semiconductor market and a 12,8 % share of the DRAM market (data for 2002).
Po podatkih portugalskih oblasti ima družba Infineon 3,5-odstotni delež na trgu polprevodnikov in 12,8-odstotni delež na trgu pomnilnikov DRAM (podatki za leto 2002).
Total eligible investment costs amount to EUR 141036103 (at 2000 prices).
Upravičeni stroški naložbe znašajo 141036103 EUR (vrednosti za 2000).
The project costs are given in the following table.
Stroški projekta so razčlenjeni v naslednji tabeli.
(in EUR)
(zneski v eurih)
According to the Portuguese authorities, the project has led to the creation of 252 direct jobs and 30 indirect jobs in the region.
Po podatkih portugalskih oblasti je bilo zaradi projekta ustvarjenih 252 neposrednih delovnih mest in 30 posrednih delovnih mest v regiji.
In their opinion, it also safeguarded 596 jobs, corresponding to all existing jobs at Infineon Portugal.
Portugalska poleg tega meni, da je bil s projektom zagotovljen obstoj 596 delovnih mest, kar je skupno število obstoječih delovnih mest v družbi Infineon Portugalska.
Aid measures
Ukrepi pomoči
According to the Portuguese authorities, the beneficiary applied for State aid in April 1999.
Upravičenec je državno pomoč po podatkih portugalskih oblasti zahteval aprila 1999.
The aid consists of a loan granted under scheme N 667/99 [6] and a tax incentive granted under scheme N 97/99 [7].
Ta pomoč je sestavljena iz posojila, odobrenega v skladu z ureditvijo N 667/99 [6], in davčne spodbude, dodeljene v skladu z ureditvijo N 97/99 [7].
The loan totals EUR 56414441 and is interest free.
Skupni znesek posojila je 56414441 EUR in zanj se ne plačuje obresti.
In 2005 an amount of EUR 42310831 will be converted into a non-repayable grant.
Leta 2005 se znesek v višini 42310831 EUR spremeni v neposredno subvencijo.
The remaining part of the loan, i.e. EUR 14103610, will be reimbursed in eight equal half-yearly instalments (between 2005 and 2008).
Preostali del posojila, to je 14103610 EUR, se izplača v 8 enakih polletnih obrokih (v obdobju od 2005 do 2008).
The loan was approved by the Portuguese authorities on 21 November 2001 and no payments have as yet been disbursed.
To posojilo so odobrili portugalski organi 21. novembra 2001 in do sedaj ga upravičenec še ni začel odplačevati.
In addition, Infineon Portugal will benefit from a tax incentive of up to EUR 20450235. The incentive will take the form of an income tax exemption for profits deriving from the notified investment.
Družba Infineon Portugalska bo poleg tega uživala davčne spodbude v višini do 20450235 EUR. Te spodbude bodo v obliki oprostitve od davka na dobiček gospodarskih družb, ki se uporablja za dobičke od priglašene naložbe.
It is to be used by Infineon according to the following schedule: EUR 795000 in 2004, EUR 1327000 in 2005, EUR 15331235 in 2006, EUR 1462000 in 2007 and EUR 1535000 in 2008.
Pričakuje se, da bo družba Infineon uporabila davčno spodbudo po naslednjem časovnem razporedu: 795000 EUR v letu 2004, 1327000 EUR v letu 2005, 15331235 EUR v letu 2006, 1462000 EUR v letu 2007 in 1535000 EUR v letu 2008.
The Portuguese authorities have stressed that the total amount of the tax incentive will in no event be exceeded.
Portugalski organi so poudarili, da skupni znesek zgoraj omenjene davčne spodbude ne bo presežen pod nobenim pogojem.
The incentive was approved by the Portuguese authorities on 12 June 2000.
Te spodbude so portugalski organi odobrili 12. junija 2000.
The following table summarises the aid intensity of the measures described.
V naslednji tabeli je prikazan povzetek intenzivnosti pomoči za zgoraj navedene ukrepe.
Incentive
Spodbuda
Nominal incentive
Nominalna spodbuda
Incentive gge
Bruto ekvivalent dotacije spodbude
Incentive nge
Neto ekvivalent dotacije spodbude
Reimbursable loan
Vračljivo posojilo
Non-repayable grant
Nepovratna sredstva
Tax incentive
Davčne spodbude
The following data were used to calculate the net grant equivalent (nge) and the gross grant equivalent (gge) of the aid measures:
Naslednji podatki so bili uporabljeni za izračun neto ekvivalenta dotacije (NGE) in bruto ekvivalenta dotacije (GGE) ukrepov pomoči:
The reference rate used to discount the amount of aid back to the date when the investment started (June 2000) and to calculate the interest savings on the reimbursable loan was 5,70 %, the rate applicable in Portugal in 2000.
Referenčna obrestna mera za znižanje zneska pomoči v zvezi z začetnim datumom naložbe (junij 2000), ki je bila uporabljena tudi za izračun prihrankov v zvezi s plačilom obresti na vračljivo posojilo, je 5,70 %, kolikor je znašala tudi obrestna mera, ki se je uporabljala na Portugalskem leta 2000.
The gross grant equivalent was calculated by deducting the amount of aid from the nominal financial flows in relation to 2000.
Bruto ekvivalent dotacije ukrepov je bil izračunan tako, da se je zneske pomoči odštelo od nominalnih finančnih tokov za junij 2000.
The net grant equivalent was calculated on the basis of the conversion rate set in Portugal’s regional aid map [(nge = gge × (1-27,6 %)], as requested by the Portuguese authorities.
NGE ukrepov je bil izračunan po menjalnem tečaju iz regionalnega zemljevida pomoči za Portugalsko [NGE = GGE × (1–27,6 %)], kot so zaprosili portugalski organi.
The net aid intensity of the aid (amount of aid in nge/total eligible costs) is therefore 29,4 % (EUR 41504299/EUR 141036103).
Zato je neto intenzivnost pomoči (znesek pomoči NGE/skupnih upravičenih stroškov) 29,4 % (41504299 EUR/141036103 EUR).
Grounds for initiating the formal investigation procedure
Razlogi za sprožitev postopka uradne preiskave
On 9 July 2003 the Commission informed Portugal that it had decided to initiate the formal investigation procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the proposed State aid.
Komisija je dne 9. julija 2003 obvestila Portugalsko o odločitvi za sprožitev postopka uradne preiskave, predvidenega v členu 88(2) Pogodbe ES, v zvezi z načrtovano državno pomočjo.
It expressed doubts about:
Komisija je izrazila dvome o:
the company’s eligibility for regional investment aid, in particular as regards the financial strength of Infineon Portugal;
upravičenosti družbe do regionalne pomoči za naložbe na podlagi finančne sposobnosti družbe Infineon Portugalska;
whether the application for financial support made by the beneficiary to the Portuguese authorities preceded the implementation of the project and whether the aid had already been disbursed;
tem, ali je bila prošnja upravičenca za finančno pomoč naslovljena na portugalske organe pred izvedbo projekta in ali je bila pomoč že izplačana;
the calculations provided by Portugal on the nge and the aid intensity;
izračunih v zvezi z neto ekvivalentom dotacije in intenzivnostjo pomoči, ki jih je predložila Portugalska;
the application of several reduction factors to the maximum aid intensity allowable under the Multisectoral Framework, namely the competition factor (T) and the capital-labour factor (I).
uporabi različnih dejavnikov za znižanje najvišje dovoljene intenzivnosti pomoči na podlagi Večsektorskega okvira, to je dejavnika konkurence (T) in delovnega kapitala (I).
In particular, the Commission did not have reliable information to ascertain definitively the characteristics of the market and could not rule out the possibility that the sector in question was in absolute or relative decline.
Komisija ni imela zanesljivih podatkov zlasti za dokončno določitev značilnosti trga in ni mogla izključiti možnosti, da je zadevni sektor v popolnem ali relativnem zatonu.
It also doubted whether all existing jobs at the Portuguese plant would be safeguarded as a result of the investment project.
Komisija je poleg tega izrazila dvom o zaščitenosti obstoječih delovnih mest v portugalskem obratu zaradi naložbenega projekta.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES
PRIPOMBE ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANI
The Commission received comments from four interested parties: a research institute engaged in the development of back-end production processes, the Portuguese-German Chamber of Commerce, a Portuguese institute for the development of new technologies and a law firm that was acting for a competitor of Infineon.
Komisija je prejela stališča štirih zainteresiranih strani: raziskovalnega zavoda za razvoj postopkov zaključne proizvodnje, portugalsko-nemške trgovinske zbornice, portugalskega zavoda za razvoj novih tehnologij in odvetniške pisarne, ki zastopa tekmeca družbe Infineon.
These comments were forwarded to Portugal by letter of 10 November 2003 and the Portuguese authorities presented their observations by letter of 15 December 2003.
Ta stališča so bila posredovana Portugalski v pismu z dne 10. novembra 2003; Portugalski organi so svoje pripombe predložili v pismu z dne 15. decembra 2003.
Three of the parties were in favour of the aid.
Tri zainteresirane strani so izrekle svojo podporo pomoči.
They stressed the importance of maintaining back-end DRAM operations in Europe, namely for the downstream industries using DRAMs.
Poudarile so pomembnost ohranitve postopkov zaključne proizvodnje pomnilnikov DRAM v Evropi, še posebno v poproizvodnih sektorjih, ki uporabljajo pomnilnike DRAM.
They also mentioned the benefits to the Portuguese economy of having high value-added industries.
Poudarile so tudi koristi, ki jih obstoj industrij z visoko dodano vrednostjo prinaša portugalskemu gospodarstvu.
They referred to the positive cooperation between Infineon Portugal and Portuguese universities, notably in the field of research.
Omenile so pozitivno sodelovanje med družbo Infineon Portugalska in portugalskimi univerzami, in sicer na področju raziskovanja.
In their view, it is important for the EU to promote this type of investment, which attracts highly innovative SMEs, and to prevent such firms from relocating to Asian countries where generous State subsidies are available.
Po njihovem mnenju je pomembno, da EU spodbuja tovrstne naložbe, ki privabljajo močno inovativna mala in srednje velika podjetja ter s tem preprečujejo prenos dejavnosti takšnih podjetij v države Azije, kjer jim je odobrena večja državna pomoč.
The law firm acting for a competitor of Infineon was opposed to the aid.
Odvetniška pisarna, ki zastopa tekmeca družbe Infineon, je izrekla svoje nasprotovanje pomoči.
It argued that the Infineon group was in difficulty and was not, therefore, eligible for regional aid.
Trdila je, da se skupina Infineon srečuje s težavami in zato ni upravičena do regionalne pomoči.
It also contended that the DRAM market was faced with structural overcapacity and that, if the Commission were to approve the aid, its amount would have to be reduced significantly in order to avoid any undue distortion of competition.
Trdila je tudi, da ima trg pomnilnikov DRAM strukturni presežek zmogljivosti in da bi se morala zadevna količina ob morebitni odobritvi pomoči s strani Komisije za izognitev nepotrebnemu izkrivljanju konkurence znatno znižati.
Lastly, it was argued that, if the Commission decided to reduce the amount of the proposed aid, Portugal should be required to submit a new notification because 10 months had elapsed and market conditions had changed since notification of the measure.
Nazadnje je še trdila, da bi morala Portugalska v primeru odločitve Komisije za zmanjšanje načrtovane pomoči predložiti novo obvestilo, saj je od spremembe obvestila o ukrepu in tržnih pogojih minilo 10 mesecev.
COMMENTS FROM PORTUGAL
PRIPOMBE, KI JIH JE PREDLOŽILA PORTUGALSKA
In its comments on the initiation of the formal investigation procedure, Portugal provided evidence to the effect that the aid application had been submitted before work started on the project (letter of April 1999 from the beneficiary to the Portuguese Government requesting financial assistance for the investment).
Portugalska je v svojih pripombah o začetku uradnega preiskovalnega postopka predložila dodatna dokazila o tem, da je bila prošnja za pomoč vložena pred začetkom projekta (pismo s prošnjo za finančno pomoč za naložbo, ki ga je upravičenec aprila 1999 poslal portugalski vladi).
They also provided clear evidence that the aid had not yet been disbursed (declarations by Infineon Portugal’s auditors, by the Portuguese Investment Agency and by the Finance Ministry).
Predložila je tudi dokumente, ki brezdvomno dokazujejo, da pomoč še ni bila izplačana (potrdilo zakonitih revizorjev družbe Infineon Portugalska, izjava portugalske agencije za naložbe in izjava Ministrstva za finance).
The Portuguese authorities also provided balance sheets and profit and loss accounts for Infineon Portugal for the period between 1998 and 2002.
Portugalski organi so predložili tudi bilance stanja in uspeha za obdobje od 1998 do 2002, vključno z obema mejnima letoma.
Portugal submitted corrected figures for the total costs and eligible costs of the investment.
Portugalska je predložila usklajene podatke o skupnih stroških in upravičenih stroških naložbe.
There were minor differences in some items and subtotals as compared with the figures previously provided but the aggregate amounts are unchanged.
Med določenimi postavkami in delnimi vsotami je bilo v primerjavi s prejšnjimi podatki nekaj manjših razlik, čeprav so skupni zneski ostali nespremenjeni.
Portugal also stated that the investment amounts envisaged are all expressed at 2000 prices, so that no discounting should be carried out in calculating the nge and aid intensity of the measures.
Portugalska je poleg tega navedla, da so vsi načrtovani zneski naložb izraženi v vrednostih za leto 2000; zato za izračun neto ekvivalenta dotacije in intenzivnosti pomoči pri ukrepih odbitek ni potreben.
Following a request from the Commission, Portugal submitted detailed calculations of the nge and intensity of the aid measures.
Portugalska je na zahtevo Komisije predložila podrobne izračune v zvezi z neto ekvivalentom dotacije ukrepov pomoči in ustrezno intenzivnost.
They indicated a net aid intensity of 29,4 %.
Ti izračuni kažejo neto intenzivnost pomoči, ki znaša 29,4 %.
As regards the market data requested by the Commission and necessary for calculating the competition factor, Portugal expressed the view that the criterion to be used was the average capacity utilisation rate (according to point 3.3 of the Multisectoral Framework) rather than apparent consumption.
Portugalska je v zvezi s podatki o trgu, ki jih je zahtevala Komisija in so potrebni za izračun dejavnika konkurence, izrazila mnenje, da mora biti merilo povprečna stopnja uporabe zmogljivosti (v skladu s točko 3.3 Večsektorskega okvira) in ne dejanska poraba.
On this basis, the Portuguese authorities presented data showing that there was no structural overcapacity in the microchip market for the period 1998-2002.
Portugalski organi so na tej osnovi predložili podatke, ki kažejo odsotnost kakršnega koli strukturnega presežka na trgu mikročipov med leti 1998 in 2002.
In the event of the Commission deciding to use apparent consumption data, Portugal claimed that the correct indicator was bit consumption and not transaction value.
Portugalska trdi, da je, če se Komisija odloči za ocenjevanje na podlagi podatkov o dejanski porabi, pravilni kazalec uporabljena zmogljivost, izražena v bitih in ne v vrednosti transakcij.
It argued that the Commission has already used this indicator in previous decisions under the Multisectoral Framework.
Trdi, da je Komisija ta kazalec uporabila v prejšnjih odločbah na podlagi Večsektorskega okvira.
It also pointed out that the Commission must take into account the market disturbance caused by the subsidies granted to the Korean DRAM manufacturer Hynix.
Poudarja tudi, da mora Komisija upoštevati motnje na trgu, ki so jih povzročile subvencije podjetju Hynix, korejskemu proizvajalcu pomnilnikov DRAM.
The Commission itself acknowledged that these subsidies led to a ‘dramatic decline’ in DRAM prices in the Community in the period from 1998 to 2001 and imposed a countervailing duty of 34,8 % on Korean DRAMs.
Komisija sama je ugotovila, da so omenjene subvencije med leti 1998 in 2001 povzročile „dramatično znižanje“ cen pomnilnikov DRAM v Skupnosti.
For these reasons, Portugal considers that the assessment of market development in value terms does not give a correct picture of the market.
Portugalska zato meni, da ocenjevanje razvoja trga na podlagi vrednosti ne omogoča natančnega pregleda trga.
The Portuguese authorities also provided information on Infineon’s share of the DRAM market (12,8 % in 2002) and gave an estimated share of 17,1 % for 2003.
Portugalski organi so predložili tudi podatke o tržnem deležu družbe Infineon v sektorju pomnilnikov DRAM (12,8 % v letu 2002) in ocenjenem deležu v višini 17,1 % za leto 2003.