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- Ελληνικά
The approval of the French scheme by the European Commission for SMEs due to the war in Ukraine could be studied, evaluated and adapted accordingly for Cyprus, for the benefit of Cypriot SMEs.
France in its effort to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises has notified the Commission of a 3.5 million budget scheme due to the effects of the war in Ukraine. It was noted that the firms concerned were facing considerable difficulties as a result of increased production costs and in particular the increase in electricity prices, which cannot and should not be passed on in full to consumers.
The scheme involves limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants, the beneficiaries benefiting from a reduction in their electricity bills. The exact amount of the reduction will result from the difference between: a) the contractual energy purchase price for 2023 and b) a reference price, which will apply to half of the electricity consumed by the company per month, with a 90% cap on the percentage of the reduction and, in any case, a cap of 2,000,000 per beneficiary.
Under the scheme, it will be the electricity suppliers who will calculate and apply the above energy price reduction scheme. The French State will then compensate the providers for the percentage of the reduction.
The Commission found that the French scheme is in line with Chapter 2.1 of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework 2023. In particular, the scheme does not exceed EUR 2 000 000 per beneficiary and the aid will be granted no later than 31 December 2023, which is the expiry date of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. Furthermore, France has provided for accompanying clauses to prevent undue distortions of competition between electricity suppliers.
To this end, the Commission considered that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the French economy caused by the consequences of the war in Ukraine. On this basis, the Commission approved the French scheme.
(NΓ)
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