Brussels, 26 September 2006
The European Commission has decided today not to raise any objections to the aid scheme which the Czech authorities are proposing to support the implementation of sustainable development in transport sector. The aid was found to be compatible with the proper functioning of the common market..
The scheme will be used to create incentives to R&D works in the field of transport. Thereby the aid is set, among others, to increase safety of traffic, to mitigate negative effects of transport on health and environment, to develop infrastructure and to promote intermodal as well as multimodal transport.
The aid will be granted to the end of 2011 to enterprises, universities, public research institutes, non-profit organisations and public organisations engaged in research. The overall budget of the scheme equals CZK 306 352 000 (€10,736,372.05).
The maximum intensity of aid will amount to 100% of the eligible costs for fundamental research, 75% for industrial research and 50% for precompetitive research. The aid will take the form of a direct grant. The Commission has assessed that this is in line with EU legislation [1] .
[1] Provisions of Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty and Community Framework for State aid for Research and Development
Item source: IP/06/1261 Date: 26/09/2006