Until December 31st, 2020, regional or minimis state aid ranging from EUR 1.5 to 6 million will be granted for the development of SMEs’ activity in competitive areas, in line with the national strategy.
At the end of last week, an Order on the granting of regional state aid and minimis to SMEs was published, within the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020. The amount of the grant is a minimum of EUR 1.5 million and a maximum of EUR 6 million.
The purpose of these aids is the development of SMEs in competitive fields, according to the national strategy or of those who want to adapt their activity in these fields.
SMEs eligible for this aid must have an average number of employees of up to 250 and an annual net turnover of up to EUR 50 million and total assets of up to EUR 43 million.
SMEs applying for these aids must have been in business for at least one fiscal year and must have made a profit in the fiscal year prior to the submission of the application. The investments in the Bucharest-Ilfov development region are not eligible.
Also, the projects that consist of carrying out construction works that are not subject to authorization or only modernization works are not eligible.
Eligible expenses incude: expenses for landscaping, for utilities, for basic investment, etc. Expenses for the basic investment include: construction and installations, equipment, machinery, patents, licenses, software, site organization or unforseen expenses. Expenses for the purchase of land or buildings, personnel costs or leasing are not eligible.
The measures are available until December 31st, 2020, and the payments will be made by December 31st, 2024. The cumulative amount of the measures is EUR 150 million.
