The state aid, amounting to 400 million lei (EUR100 million), will be granted to SMEs during three consecutive fiscal years. The aid will not exceed the equivalent in lei of EUR200,000 per firm, and EUR100,000 for firms operating in the road transport sector, according to a draft Government decision.
Financing requests may be filed until June 30, 2014 and the aid will be disbursed between 2014 and 2016.
Authorities estimate the funds allotted are enough for about 1,000 firms, which must meet several requirements, including to create five new jobs (for aid of up to EUR100,000) or seven new jobs (for aid ranging between EUR100,000 and EUR200,000) and keep them for at least three years.
Applicants must present investment plans stating eligible costs, as well as studies on the viability of the investments and their economic efficiency. They must not register debts to the state budget, must not be insolvent, bankrupt or undergo reorganization.
Romania also granted de minimis aid for SMEs through a EUR100 million scheme in 2007-2011.