The French government recently published a 62-page guide listing all the assistance available to industrial companies. Among these schemes is the "Aide à l'investissement de transformation vers l'industrie du futur". Here's what you need to know.
Stimulus plan: a 62-page guide for industrial companies
For the past 6 months, the French government has been mobilizing to protect the country from the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. On September 3, the Prime Minister presented the "France Relance" plan, the result of a wide-ranging national consultation aimed at drawing lessons from the crisis.
As part of this plan, a guide has been published listing the assistance available to industry players. The aim of the brochure is to present the schemes put in place by the State to support companies, which can be mobilized in the coming months to help them get back on their feet. Regularly updated, the 62-page guide covers financing assistance, the digital and ecological transition, support for innovation, the development of new production in France, and export development.
In a press release published on September 30, 2020, the Government specifies that the Direccte and CCIs will approach the companies concerned to present these new aids.
Focus on investment aid for transformation to the industry of the future
Among the schemes on offer is the "Aide à l'investissement de transformation vers l'industrie du futur". This follows on from the "suramortissement" scheme in terms of eligible equipment, and strengthens future industry solutions based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Available until the end of 2022, the aid is aimed at industrial SMEs and ETIs investing in the transformation towards the industry of the future, i.e. carrying out a project to transform production systems using new technologies (robotics, virtual or augmented reality, non-destructive testing, data processing, etc.).
The subsidy rate depends on the size of the company. It is 20% for small businesses, 10% for medium-sized businesses and 10% for medium-sized businesses. For the latter, EU regulation 1407/2013 sets a limit of 200,000 euros, which can be increased to 800,000 euros in 2020 and 2021, provided they are eligible for the temporary framework scheme.
It is possible to benefit from the "Aide à l'investissement de transformation vers l'industrie du futur" program by contacting the "Agence de services et de paiement" (ASP), whose role is to receive and process grant applications, and then pay out the aid. The grant application form is available on the ASP website.