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Ekaterina Rojaka says that new measures are due to be presented to the government next week.
“We are moving at full speed, we plan to present it to the government for final consideration next week,” Rojaka told reporters on Wednesday.
“It is important for us to secure funding; implementation is practically moving into next year, funding should also be secured next year.” This year, we will do all the homework so that we can start benefits immediately after the start of the year, ”he said.
According to her, if the measure could be quickly agreed with the European Commission, invitations to companies could be sent out later this year.
According to the deputy minister, the government will be offered to waive the requirement that the entire sector companies must have 30% experience. a drop in turnover: only then will the company be able to request the support of this sector. This criterion is criticized by the candidate of the center-right coalition for Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
The government will be asked to maintain the criteria of 30% eligible for support. companies that have experienced a drop in turnover.
“We had primary billing data, but when we get more detailed data, we can see that this criterion (40% drop in sector – BNS) is inapplicable and more restrictive than beneficial. Therefore, we will propose to abolish the second part, leaving only the drop in billing, ”said J. Rojaka.
According to her, the need for subsidies only amounts to 100-200 million. euros, they would need around 60-67 thousand. companies. However, the government will decide how much money will actually be allocated; According to J. Rojaka, the evidence shows that about half of the amount can be expected.
“If funding was provided at a lower rate, we could move forward with different criteria, such as less intensity or an increase in the percentage of turnover that fell,” he said.
He added that a decision was needed “very soon” and the ministry at least expects approval of the plan next week.
Business will have to wait
Companies that spoke to BNS this week feared that support for affected companies was already significantly delayed, and that some companies would not receive that support at all.
However, Rojaka says the scheme will be set up differently from, for example, subsidies distributed to ultra-small companies earlier this year, so companies will have to wait a while.
According to her, the ministry can create support according to two principles: under the de minimis scheme, which allows providing up to 200 thousand. and in accordance with the Communication of the European Commission (EC) COVID0-19 in force until the middle of next year, which allows to contribute up to 800 thousand euros per company. since March.
Mr. Rojaka emphasizes that there are not as many ultra-small companies that have accumulated support under the de minimis program, there are more small and medium-sized companies, and almost all large companies have used the limit of this support.
Under the de minimis scheme, the money would reach companies faster, as there would be no need to coordinate with the European Commission, but the ministry decided to take a different path and generate support in line with the COVID-19 communication.
“It is (de minimis – BNS) faster because it does not require recourse to the European Commission, but after evaluating all the risks for the future, we believe this option is too risky,” Rojaka said.
It was previously announced that the grants would require about $ 80 million. and 30 million euros for loans on favorable terms. euros.
J. Rojaka has told the SNB that the subsidies will be distributed in a similar way to the previous year’s subsidy program for small companies: the State Tax Inspectorate (STI) will provide lists, send invitations and the money will reach the companies through the Ministry of Economy and the National Center of General Functions.
However, the new grant measure will no longer apply the company size criterion: all affected and eligible companies will be eligible.
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