Brussels, 3 June 2022
The European Commission has approved a €110 million Italian scheme to support the wedding, entertainment, HORECA (hotel, restaurant and cafeteria) and other affected sectors in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to companies of all sizes active in the wedding, entertainment, HORECA and other affected sectors that, despite the lifting of the restrictive measures in place to limit the spread of the virus, have not fully recovered yet.
The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022.
The Commission therefore concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.102925 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source: European Commission – Email