Company can apply for investment grant of up to 5 times the value of 2019 turnover

A company can apply for an investment grant of no more than five times the value of its 2019 turnover, under the "Investments in productive activities" measure managed by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE) through the Competitiveness Operational Program.Minister of Investments and European Projects Dan Vilceanu had a consultation on Tuesday with the business environment regarding the applicant's guide related to the 4.1.1. "Investments in productive activities" measure under which micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to obtain European funds representing investment grants.According to an MIPE release sent on Tuesday, the amount that can be accessed by an applicant, as well as the grading criteria were the main changes agreed upon, right from this first meeting."I thank all the dialogue partners and I want to assure them that we will take as many of their comments as possible, but that we must also take into account the regulations approved by the European Commission. The discussion was not an easy one, but it was honest and I assured all participants that the failure of Measure 3 would not be repeated. We need investments and beneficiaries to take on the sustainability of these investments. I would like us to put the financing guide under public consultation as soon as possible because the Romanian entrepreneur, our economy needs investments, the only ones that can create new jobs and increase the standard of living in our country. We have solutions and we cannot afford to postpone the decision very much," said Dan Vilceanu.The discussions outlined the way of evaluating and separating out the projects that can be submitted by the beneficiaries within 5 days from the start of the financing call.The value of a project will range between a minimum of 50,000 euros and a maximum of one million euros. Under this measure, the acquisition of property or the construction of buildings will not be considered eligible expenses, but only the fitting out and modernization of spaces. The total value of the state aid scheme will stay at 358 million euros.The meeting was attended by Minister Dan Vilceanu, Secretary of State Csilla Hegedus, Director General of the Competitiveness Operational Program, Svetlana Gombos, representatives of the National Council of Small and Medium Private Enterprises of Romania (CNIPMMR), of the Territorial Association for Energy and Energy Efficiency, of the Coalition for the Development of Romania (CDR), of the National Federation of Local Action Groups in Romania, of the Association of Management Consultants in Romania (AMCOR), of the Board of Young Entrepreneurs in Romania, of the Board of Consultants for Entrepreneurship Development and representatives of the business environment.