92003E0241

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0241/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2003)

Subject: Funding of small and medium-sized processing and tourist enterprises through ROPs in Greece

According to the first data gathered, only 3 000 small and medium-sized processing and tourist enterprises have submitted funding applications through the 13 Regional Operational Programmes, despite initial estimates that 7 000 would do so.

Will the Commission say what level of appropriations was earmarked to be allocated, what amount was actually allocated, what are the grounds for the low level of participation of small and medium-sized processing and tourist enterprises in the programmes in question and what action it intends to take to address this specific problem?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2003)

According to the information which the Commission has received from Greece, by the end of the first series of calls for proposals the number submitted totalled 3 781.

The aid scheme for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) to which the Honourable Member refers provides for public expenditure of EUR 240 million.

Since the evaluation of these proposals is now in progress, the Commission has no information on the total appropriations which will finally be allocated.

At present, since this is the first call for proposals of this type, the Commission is unable to assess the level of participation by small firms.

Because the action is horizontal in nature, it is for the managing authority and the Monitoring Committee for the 2000-2006 Community support framework for Greece to propose any appropriate measures which might prove necessary.