N E W S R E P O R T V A P L A W O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
E U – F U N D I N G I N T O U R I S M P R O J E C T S
Preliminary publication of the invitation of the programme
“Support of Touristic Small and Medium Enterprises for the purposes of modernizing them and upgrading the quality of the services rendered”
In the context of the ESPA 2014-2020, the preliminary publication that concerns the invitation of the programme titled “Support of Touristic Small and Medium Enterprises for the purposes of modernizing them and upgrading the quality of the services rendered”, was inter alia announced just on 12.10.2015, whose main objective is the support of very small, small and medium enterprises active in the field of Tourism, in order to solidify their position both in the domestic and the international touristic market. It is estimated that 600-700 enterprises will benefit from the said programme and 500 new job posts will be created.
The programme is funded with the total amount of €50.000.000 (Public Expenditure) and will be implemented in two (2) proclamation cycles (1st cycle 2015: 40% and 2nd cycle 2016: 60%). The programme of the 1st cycle is funded with a total amount of euro 20 million (Public Expenditure), for all regions of the country.
A brief outline of the contents of the programme follows below, as it was described in the preliminary publication of the invitation; however it is pointed out that the said preliminary publication may be amended by the competent administrative authority. The preliminary publication will be the object of consultations for one month and thereafter, the official invitation for the filing of proposals will be announced, which is estimated within 2015, until early December, where the conditions of participation will be fully detailed, along with the necessary supporting documents, the eligible expenditures etc. and the interested parties will be entitled to file their business plan.
The most important points of the preliminary publication*
• The preliminary publication will be the object of consultations for one month.
• Filing of proposals within 2015 until early December.
• Current touristic enterprises incorporated by 31/12/2013 and employing in the past three years at least an average of one (1) Annual Work Unit (ΕΜΕ) are selected.
• Projects of a total budget with a cost ranging from €15.000 to €150.000 are subsidized.
• The subsidy percentage reaches 40% of the eligible expenditure and a surcharge clause of 10%.
• Modernization, quality upgrade and third-parties’ fees are included in the eligible expenditure.
(*Caution: Differentiations may result upon the announcement of the final invitation).
Small and medium touristic enterprises are in the process of being supported!
Which are the eligible expenses?
Suggestive categories for the two-year period of support (the commencement of the eligibility of expenses is the date the financing application is filed):
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Modernization and quality upgrade of building and other infrastructure,
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Interventions for saving energy/water,
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Interventions for enriching the products offered with new services (extension to alternative forms, interventions for the disabled, etc.),
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Certification of infrastructure and services,
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Projection – promotion of relevant undertakings in target markets,
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Third parties’ fees.
We remain at your disposal in order to jointly examine if you meet the criteria in order to be included in the new programmes, so that we may support you in preparing your dossier. Take advantage now of the remaining time, before the invitation is announced, for the preparation of the necessary business plan.
Main conditions:
1. Eligible enterprises
In order for them to be selected they must:
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Be characterized as “very small, small and medium enterprises”,
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Have been incorporated by 31/12/2013,
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Be exclusively active in the field of Tourism
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Occupy in the past three years at least an average of one (1) Annual Work Unit (ΕΜΕ).
Note: Eligible categories of touristic business activities, that will be subsidized, will be defined in the invitation of the programme.
2. Conditions for participation
The main conditions for the participation of enterprises filing an investment proposal are the following:
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They must be active in the Greek State and realize an investment in a specific region.
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They must exclusively operate in one of the following forms: Société Anonyme, Limited Liability Company, General Partnership or Limited Partnership, Private Companies (Ι.Κ.Ε.) and personal companies.
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They must not have been subjected to bankruptcy, liquidation or administrative receivership,
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They must not be “problematic companies”,
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A decision for the revocation of the support must not be pending against them,
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They must have available or commit themselves that they will see for the appropriate infrastructure for the purposes of minimizing the obstacles for the disabled, where necessary and required,
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They must file up to one investment proposal per VAT Reg. No,
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The total amount of minor supports the enterprise has been granted in the part must not exceed the amount of Euro 200.000 (or 100.000 for the field of transportations) within a period of three (3) years (current fiscal year and the two (2) preceding fiscal years) before the inclusion date of the proposal.
3. Support Regime
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Projects of a total investment budget from €15.000 to €150.000,
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The support percentage is defined at the maximum of 40% of the eligible expenses of the investment plan,
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In case new personnel is hired, the support percentage is increased by ten (10) units, only after the achievement of the said target is certified.
4. Duration of projects
Twenty four (24) months after the date the decision for the inclusion of the investment plan is issued.
5. Eligible expenditure
Suggestive categories for the two-year period of support (the commencement of the eligibility of expenses is the date the financing application is filed):
-
Modernization and quality upgrade of building and other infrastructure,
-
Interventions for saving energy/water,
-
Interventions for enriching the products offered with new services (extension to alternative forms, interventions for the disabled, etc.),
-
Certification of infrastructure and services,
-
Projection – promotion of relevant undertakings in target markets,
-
Third parties’ fees.
Note: It is pointed out that the above outline of provisions is suggestive and summarizing and aims at providing a quick update in relation to the legal framework. Any subjection of your company to the above provisions and the conditions of this subjection constitute the object of a more complete analysis for which the provision of specialized legal advice is required.
D I S C L A I M E R
The contents of this newsletter do not constitute legal or tax advice and cannot be used as such. In case you require advice for your personal needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes of this newsletter is permitted, provided that reference of the source is made and the editor (VAP LAW OFFICES) is informed and a copy is communicated to it.
We remain at your disposal for any clarification and/or information.
VAP LAW OFFICES
ATHENS ǀ DÜSSELDORF
ATHENS ǀ 4 KARAGIORGI SERVIAS STREET ǀ GR 105 62 ATHENS ǀ T +30 210 3254237
DÜSSELDORF ǀ 91 PRINZ-GEORG STREET ǀ G 404 79 DÜSSELDORF ǀ T +49 (0) 211 43691229
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