Scheme for Modernisation and Digitalisation of Enterprises engaged in Manufacturing and Trading of Agricultural Products (2nd Call)
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The third Policy Axis aims to improve the competitiveness and resilience of the Cypriot economy. In addition to the other axes, it includes measures that contribute to the promotion of a new model of development and international competitiveness of the Cypriot economy, based on the results of the relevant study of the Cyprus Economy and Competitiveness Council.
Includes investments and reforms to expand the productive base by strengthening the primary and secondary sectors of the economy, improving competitiveness and the business environment, mainly by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), diversifying and strengthening the tourism product, modernizing public administration and local authorities, reform and improve the efficiency of the judiciary, fight corruption and enhance transparency, enhance research and innovation, and the resilience of the financial sector and the financial situation.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The Scheme is included in the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Programme and will be funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Scheme aims to support existing and newly established SMEs engaged in the manufacturing and / or trading of agricultural products.The Scheme is adjusted and will be implemented under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2831 of 13thDecember 2023 (De Minimis) and (EC) No. 2022/2472 of 14th December 2022 (ABER).
Interested parties will be able to submit their applications through the online Grant Scheme System of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry.
Detailed Call Description
The Grant Scheme will provide aid to enterprises engaged in the manufacturing and/or trading of agricultural products covered by Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The outcome of the production process (end product) must necessarily be a product listed in Annex I of the Treaty. Activities related to fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the production ofwine and wine vinegar are excluded. Please note that the following activities are also eligible for funding:
- The trade of fruit and vegetables, i.e. the packaging, standardisation, sorting, preservation, refrigeration, storage of fruit and vegetables, including potatoes (fresh fruit and vegetable packing plants).
- The standardisation/packaging of olive oil, eggs and the processing, standardisation/packaging of meat and dairy products. The repackaging of meat is not included in the eligible activities.
- The concentration/pre-freezing of milk and the pasteurisation of milk.
- Slaughterhouses for poultry, rabbits and other animals.
- Flower markets and flower packing and distribution centres (investments related to a retail trade are not eligible).
The minimum amount of the proposed investment (eligible costs) is set at € 10,000.
Eligible expenditure include:
- Purchase of new machinery / equipment andcommercial vehicles.
- Digitalisation costs including the acquisition of hardware and software, website development and e-shop development (maximum eligible cost for e-shop €15.000).
- General costs linked to eligible expenditure – consultation fees for feasibility studies (maximum eligible cost €4,000) and initial certification fees for quality management and food safety systems which are linked to eligible investments (maximum eligible cost €5,000).
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The total available budget is €3m and will be allocated as follows:
- “Micro“ enterprises at least €750.000
- “Small and Medium” enterprises € 2.250.000
The available budget may be increased in case of further savings from the completion of the 1st Call.
All undertakings may choose to receive grant in accordance to Commission Regulation No. 2022/2472 (ABER) OR No. 2023/2831 (De Minimis). Only one of the two Regulations may be chosen.
The grant is estimated as a percentage on the eligible amount of investment as follows:
- The amount of the grant, regardless of the State Aid scheme chosen, is 40% of the eligible costs with a maximum grant amount of €40,000.
- In the case of enterprises located in rural or disadvantaged areas, which are defined in Annex IX of the Scheme Guide, the amount of the grant will be 50% on the eligible costs with a maximum grant amount of €50,000.
The total amount of De Minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed € 300,000 over any period of three fiscal years.
Thematic Categories
- Processing
- Rural development
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as defined byEuropean Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC dated 06/05/2003, which implement investments in eligible sectors and activities covered by the Scheme.
Beneficiaries also include Producer Groups and Organisations recognised by the Competent Authority. In the case of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations which implement an Operational Programme, eligible investments are those not included in the Operational Programme.
Aid cannot be granted to undertakings in difficulty which meet the criteria set out in Article 2(18) of Regulation (EU) No 651/2014.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Industry and Technology Service of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (www.industry.gov.cy/gr)
Contact Persons
Antigoni Kouzali
Commercial and Industrial Inspector
Telephone: +35722867279
Email: akouzali@meci.gov.cy
Ioannis Heracleous
Commercial and Industrial Officer
Telephone: +35722867275
Email: iheracleous@meci.gov.cy
Katerina Strati
Audit Officer COOP A’
Telephone: +35722867243
Email: kstrati@mof.gov.cy
Christiana Paphiti
Scheme Officer
Telephone: +35722867179
Email: cpaphiti@meci.gov.cy
Maria Christodoulidou
Commercial and Industrial Officer A’
Telephone: +35722867154
Email: mchristodoulidou@meci.gov.cy