On the proposal of the Deputy Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism responsible for Industry Theodora Tzakri, the first three new NSRF programs were approved, specially designed to strengthen manufacturing in the country and the reconstruction of the productive sector.

Three new NSRF programs

The first Program "Modern Manufacturing" concerns the strengthening of existing manufacturing SMEs with a staff of 50-250 people or under establishment companies in the eligible SMRs of the priority sectors with three investment axes: "Manufacturing diversification – productive transformation", "Digital Industry", "Energy efficiency for SMEs".

The second Programme "Strengthening the Environmental Industry" concerns support for investment projects for the creation of environmental business activities. Such a program for the first time is designed and implemented, demonstrating the commitment to a new productive model of balanced development

The third program "Development of Local Business Parks for Manufacturing and Supply Chain" concerns the creation of organized receptors for manufacturing business activities., For the first time in many years the state invests money, in cooperation with the private sector for the creation of Industrial Areas, Business Parks and Logistics infrastructure.

Regarding the issue, the Deputy Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism in charge of Industry Theodora Tzakri stated:

"We are working with a plan, a strong will and a timetable for the productive reconstruction of the country. After a long time, NSRF programs are planned specifically to strengthen the industry. These three programmes, with a budget of EUR 170 million, are aimed exclusively at the manufacturing sector. We strengthen business plans and infrastructure that support domestic production, in order to achieve the rapid restart of Greek industry, in order to increase the added value of Greek products and create stable and well-paid jobs in manufacturing. We will soon present a new set of actions for the productive reconstruction of the country".

More specifically, these first three programs for Greek manufacturing, designed by the competent Ministry of Industry specifically to support the country's industrial and craft enterprises, are included in the Operational Program. «Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK)». The approval of the three programmes for processing by the Monitoring Committee of EPANEK has already been completed and they are part of the Priority Axis 01/01Σ: "Development of entrepreneurship with sectoral priorities". Within the next three months, both the preparation of the calls to the beneficiaries and the finalisation of the implementation guides for the implementation of the programme by the GSB are expected to be completed. The final calls are expected to be issued in autumn 2016.

Based on the existing planning, the total budget of the programs will be around 170 million euros in this phase, constituting an important part of the EPANEK actions that start this year.

More specifically, these first three programmes for industry are as follows:

NSRF "MODERN PROCESSING" Program

Short Description of the Program:

The "Modern Manufacturing" Program concerns the financing of business plans of small and medium-sized enterprises and aims to transform the manufacturing production base of the Greek economy towards new or diversified production lines, products and manufacturing services with an extrovert orientation.

As for its content, it will include three (3) distinct options for businesses that will submit relevant applications for inclusion in the program:

• Manufacturing diversification – productive transformation. Eligible will be actions for the transformation of the production base of enterprises with new (or even pilot) production processes, new products and introduction to the production process – disposal of high-tech and innovative processes. Also, activities for the development of new products and services will be supported, with emphasis on meeting immediate market needs such as business partnerships - synergies as well as increasing productivity and reducing the cost of production and distribution of products and services.
• Digital Industry. It aims to develop and support digitized and flexible production lines, as well as the design and distribution of products and services. It promotes the participation of enterprises in high value-added chains, especially if these have a cross-regional or international dimension.
• Energy efficiency for SMEs. It focuses on providing support to SMEs to improve the energy efficiency of their production process and to prepare for the implementation of future EU energy standards on energy consumption in the production of products and related services.

The business plans will have a duration of 36 months.

Recipients – Beneficiaries of the Program:

The action is planned for:

• existing manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises with a staff of 50-250 people.
• or enterprises under establishment, in eligible SMRs of the strategic priority sectors, mainly in manufacturing activities but also in other relevant activities, such as the supply chain sector.

Funding Framework of the Programme:

The total approved budget of the program amounts to 100 million euros with 40% being public expenditure. The Eligible Budget of investment projects can range from 250.000-3.000.000 €.
The programme will be implemented under Regulation (EC) No 651/2014.

The Rates set by the Regional Aid Map:

• For small ones: 30%-45% (depending on the Region),
• For medium: 20-35% (depending on the Region).

NSRF Program "STRENGTHENING THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY"

Short Description of the Program:

The NSRF Program concerns the financing of business plans of new or existing small and medium-sized enterprises for the business utilization of liquid, solid and gaseous waste and third party waste, with the aim of producing and disposing of raw materials and intermediate or final products and services of high added value. The action practically concerns the creation of environmental business activities that are expected to contribute substantially to the coverage of significant national gaps in the production chain. The implementation of the action will achieve the creation of added value and national wealth through the business exploitation of the "environment" sector, which on the one hand is one of the (9) National Strategic Priority Areas of the REITc and on the other hand contributes to the creation of value chains with other priority areas, succeeding in this way the integrated and competitive support of all companies operating in all (9) Strategic priority areas.

The business plans will have a duration of 36 months.

Recipients – Beneficiaries of the Program:
Potential all economic activities under the condition of an investment project that indicatively falls under the following NACE 2008 SMR codes: 36, 37, 38, 39 as well as sectors 20.59.59.01, 20.59.59.02.

Funding Framework of the Programme:
The total approved budget of the program amounts to 30 million euros with 50% being public expenditure (15 million).
The Eligible Budget of investment projects can range from 250.000-2.500.000 €.
The programme will be implemented under Regulation (EC) No 651/2014. The action is implemented in the framework of Regulation EC 651/2014.

The percentages range from 35% to 70% under Article 47 of EC 651/201, depending on the size of the enterprise and the region where the investment is made.

Program "DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL BUSINESS PARKS FOR MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY CHAIN"

Short Description

The Program entitled "Development of Local Business Parks for Manufacturing and Supply Chain" attempts to orient and mobilize business entities towards the development and operation of organized Business Parks of various categories based on the provisions and definitions of Law 3982/2011.

The aim of the program is the creation of modern business-industrial infrastructure and logistics infrastructure in the regions of the country, which are expected to contribute substantially to local economies. At the same time, they aim to protect the environment and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants around or near these areas.

The eligible actions and costs of the programme are set out in No. Φ/Α/15.3/οικ.3453/257/13.3.2013 (Government Gazette 702 B) MD in combination with the restrictions set by Regulation 651/2014 and in accordance with para. 6 of article 51 of Law 3982/2011 concern indicatively: the elaboration of a business plan, studies and infrastructure plans, implementation acts (where applicable), construction of infrastructure projects and communal supporting and public benefit infrastructure and facilities, landscaping, expenses for electromechanical and other installations for common services of Business Parks, expenses for electronic monitoring equipment, control of infrastructure management and use of modern technological communication and information infrastructure, costs of water abstraction projects within and outside the boundaries of business parks and costs of connection to energy and telecommunications networks, costs of creating a marketplace for the promotion of the products of the Business Park enterprises, costs of waste treatment and disposal projects within and outside the boundaries of the OP, costs for the rehabilitation of the soil from previous pollution and restoration of the environment, costs of external infrastructure and connection to roads and any railway axes, cost of land acquisition for up to ten percent (10%) of the cost of civil works.

The business plans will have a duration of 24 months.

Recipients – Beneficiaries of the Program:

The program will be addressed to business park management bodies. The potential beneficiary(s) concerned should fulfil the following basic conditions:

A) To be a legal person(s) and to be a Business Park Development Company (EANEP), in accordance with articles 41 and 45 of Law 3982/2011. That is, to be a legal entity that has the form of a société anonyme of n. 2190/1920 (A' 37) and undertakes the drafting and implementation of the Business Development Plan and the administration and management of the Business Park until its transfer, in accordance with the provisions of law. 3982/2011, and generally meet the other requirements of Law 3982/2011.

B) Be a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME).

Funding Framework of the NSRF Program:

The total budget of the programme amounts to €40 million. €. The Public Expenditure (indicative) is estimated to amount to € 16 million. €. It will be proportional to the regional distribution of parks to be supported and the articles of EK651/2014 to be implemented.

Scheduling for the start of the NSRF program:

Within the next three months, the Invitation to the beneficiaries and the finalization of the Implementation Guide for its implementation are expected. The final call is expected to be issued in autumn 2016.