Economic Senator announces “thick package of measures” for companies – BZ Berlin
The Senate Department for Economics is working on a package of measures for Berlin companies. Included are investment grants for the time when the end of the corona pandemic is in sight.
This can be a critical phase for companies, said Economics Senator Stephan Schwarz (independent) of the German Press Agency. He is currently holding many talks with sectors that are particularly affected by the pandemic on the details of the restart program decided by the red-green-red Senate. “It will be a relatively thick package of measures,” said Schwarz. “We have already talked to the IBB about how we can create incentives for investments.” This also includes grants.
“We have a narrow time window due to the limitation of the exemption for subsidies at EU level,” said Schwarz. “It expires on June 30th, unless it is extended again.” Until then, a higher subsidy percentage is allowed. “That’s why we have to be quick so that we can get it done in time.”
In Berlin, the new budget still has to be approved. “But we can’t wait for that to happen,” the senator said. “That’s why we are now setting up these programs, which are still subject to certain reservations.” That will be very time-consuming. “I can’t say yet how big the investment bonus will be. We are still in the negotiations, but it is certainly not about three-digit million amounts.”
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The time for the restart program has come when an endemic situation emerges and the unconditional restrictions on the economy are lifted. “In our opinion, with all caution, it is a real scenario that applications can be made in April, May, June,” said Schwarz. “And since the time window is so tight, we will speak to the economy as soon as the regulations have been announced, so that the companies can then prepare for the application.” That is planned for mid to late February or early March.
“The restart program is not only about bringing the hard-hit industries back to the old growth path,” said Schwarz. “It’s also about supporting companies in digitization and ecological transformation.”