State Aid Scheme
The current cycle of Grant nearing the end. 2020 is the last year in which the State Aid Scheme approved by HG 807/2014, which aims at regional development through investments, is still valid. The non-reimbursable funds are also addressed to the areas of the food processing industry, and the deadline until which financing agreements can be issued is December 31, 2020. Entrepreneurs can request non-reimbursable funds for investments in a total amount of at least 4,5 million lei, under the conditions which complies with state aid legislation.
Who can access this state aid scheme?
The fields defined by CAEN codes, traditionally supported financially through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, are also found within this state aid scheme. Dedicated investment both SMES (companies with a maximum of 249 employees), as well as large enterprises (companies with over 250 employees), eligibility is addressed newly established enterprises and enterprises in activity (established under Companies Law no. 31/1990, republished, with subsequent amendments and additions).
Amount and validity of state aid
Financing agreements can be issued until December 31, 2020, in compliance with state aid legislation, within the limits of commitment credits and budget credits approved by the annual budget laws.
Silver state aid it is carried out in the period 2015 – 2023, based on the financing agreements issued. No advance is granted, the scheme works on the mechanism of reimbursement requests, which can be made gradually, on phases of works or purchases of machinery/equipment.
The funding request refers to the value of approximately one million euros, the amount granted being calculated as a percentage, depending on the region (maximum 50% for the regions North-East, South-East, South Muntenia, South-West Oltenia North-West and Center ; maximum 35% for the West and Ilfov region; maximum 10% for the Bucharest region).
A. Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses related to tangible assets:
• Constructions of any type, respectively the expenses incurred with the realization of constructions. Only the expenses found in Chapter 4 – Expenditures for the basic investment, sub-chapter 4.1 – Constructions and basic installations of the Estimate per object as presented in Annex no. 8 to Government Decision no. 907/2016. Within this clarification, it is noted that the expenses related to Chapter 2 - Expenses for providing the utilities necessary for the objective are not eligible. For these, a cost standard is imposed that cannot exceed 1.650 lei/mXNUMX developed area;
• Technical installations, new machines and equipment classified according to Government Decision no. 2.139/2004 for the approval of the Catalog regarding the classification and normal operation durations of fixed assets, with subsequent amendments, with the minimum entry value of fixed assets established according to the legal provisions in force.
In the situation where the real estate in which the investment is carried out is transferred for use (in the case of renting the buildings related to the initial investment), the expenses related to the rent of the buildings related to the initial investment recorded during the realization of the investment plan are considered eligible. The maximum eligible rent cannot exceed 22 lei/sq m/month. The value of the rent that exceeds the maximum eligible value is financed by the beneficiary company from its own sources. The rental contract must be valid at least for the period of the initial investment and five years after the date of its completion.
Eligible expenses related to intangible assets (depreciable assets associated with the initial investment that do not have a physical or financial materialization):
• patents
• Licenses
• Know-how or other intellectual property rights
B. Ineligible Expenses
The purchase, modernization and rehabilitation of buildings are not eligible under this scheme, as are the following categories of expenses:
• The purchase of furniture and industrial furniture, decorations, registrable means of transport, electronic computers that are not part of the technological flow, office equipment, tool kits, cabinets/carts with tools, etc.
• Transportation expenses, installation of technical installations, machines and equipment.
Start-up Nation III
In 2020, the SME financing program, Start-up Nation III, will continue, which aims to encourage the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the project implemented by the Ministry for the Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship (MMACA) through the agencies in the territory aims to improve the economic performance of established enterprises, with priority of those in less economically developed geographical areas.
Who can access the Start-up Nation program?
Companies (micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises) that, at the time of completing the online business plan, cumulatively meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Start-up Nation program Procedure can benefit from the provisions of the Program.
Amount and validity of state aid
The scheme is valid until December 31, 2020, payments under the de minimis scheme being made until December 31, 2021. The estimated budget of the de minimis scheme for 2020 is 2.000.000.000 lei, the same as in the previous year. Through the implementation of the program, it is estimated that de minimis aid will be granted to a maximum of 10.000 beneficiaries/year.
The Program finances the implementation of Business Plans, in descending order of the scores obtained. The Non-Reimbursable Financial Allowance, of a maximum of 200.000 lei/beneficiary, represents 100% of the value of the eligible expenses related to the project (including VAT for non-paying companies). The object of financing must fall into one or more of the categories of eligible expenses provided for and described in the Program Procedure.
GBER and de minimis state aid schemes, related to sM 4.2
This financing program aims to improve the general level of performance of enterprises, by introducing new technologies and processes, but also by increasing the number of jobs.
Who can access this GBER state aid scheme?
• Enterprises defined according to the national legislation in force;
• Cooperatives, groups of producers established on the basis of the national legislation in force.
Amount of non-repayable financing
The maximum amount of aid granted under this scheme related to sM 4.2 cannot exceed the maximum ceiling/project, as follows:
• 1.000.000 euros/project for SMEs, in the case of projects that do not involve investments leading to an integrated food chain;
• 1.500.000 euros/project for other enterprises, in the case of projects that do not involve investments leading to an integrated food chain;
• 2.500.000 euros/project for investments leading to an integrated food chain (regardless of the type of applicant), as well as for associative forms, in the case of projects that do not involve investments leading to an integrated food chain.
Article made in collaboration with Ovidiu Dogaru (SC BOUCLIER SRL), consultant in developing projects with non-refundable funds
Email: bouclier_consult@yahoo.com
Phone: 0743 199 996/ 0725 329 999
