PR(99)22: Norwegian areas eligible for regional aid authorised by the EFTA Surveillance Authority
The EFTA Surveillance Authority has approved a proposal from the Norwegian authorities, on the system of regional aid in Norway. The validity of the present system expires on 31 December 1999. The new map of assisted areas has been authorized for the period of 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006. The assisted areas in Norway are divided into three target zones; A, B and C. They cover 25.8% of the total population. The geographical scope of the assisted areas has been adjusted. The adjustments concern relatively small parts of, respectively, target zone B and target zone C.
Target zone A consists of the county of Finnmark plus the northernmost parts of the county of Troms. The general aid ceiling, expressed in a percentage of investment costs, for large enterprises in zone A is 25%, plus a supplement of 5% for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a derogation from this provision, aid ceilings in 2000 are fixed at 30% for large enterprises, plus 10% for SMEs. For 2001, the corresponding ceilings are 30% plus 5% for SMEs.
Target zone B covers other parts of northern Norway plus remote and sparsely populated areas in southern Norway. The aid ceilings for large enterprises in target zone B are 20% plus 5% for SMEs. Target zone C covers assisted areas in southern Norway plus the municipalities of Tromsø and Bodø in northern Norway. The aid ceilings for target zone C are 10% for large enterprises plus an additional 10% for SMEs. Except for the three counties Vest-Agder, Rogaland and Hordaland, it is possible to give 5% NGE extra in target zone C in cases where one can expect an extraordinary regional impact. A more detailed overview of the geographical scope of the assisted areas may be seen from the annex to this press release.
The EFTA Surveillance Authority also approved plans to amend and prolong, until the end of the year 2000, the application of higher aid intensities for two existing regional aid schemes within the four municipalities of Kautokeino, Karasjok, Tana and Porsanger in the County of Finnmark. Higher aid intensities are part of the restructuring programme for Inner Finnmark introduced because of the difficult situation for the Sami people. The aid is confined to SMEs. The Authority has concluded that aid in the form of Investment grants up to 45 per cent and Company development grants up to 75 per cent in the four municipalities, until 31 December 2000, qualify for exemption under Article 61(3)(c) EEA
For further information please contact Mr. Amund Utne on tel. 286 18 50 or Mr. Rolf Egil Tønnessen on tel 286 18 56.
Annex to PR(99)22
municipalities covered by target zones A, B and C
Target zone A1
General aid ceiling: 25 % NGE2 - SME supplement: 5 % (gross)
County | Municipalities eligible for regional investment aid |
Finnmark | Whole county |
Troms | Kåfjord, Skjervøy, Nordreisa, Kvænangen |
1 It may in 2000 be given up to 30% NGE to large companies, + 10 gross to SMEs. In 2001 it may be given up to 30% NGE, +5% gross to SMEs.
2 Net Grant Equivalent (NGE). NGE represents the final benefit which a firm is deemed to derive from the value of the aid (without tax) in relation to the assisted investment.
Target zone B
General aid ceiling: 20 % NGE - SME supplement: 5 % (gross)
County | Municipalities eligible for regional investment aid |
Hedmark | Trysil, Åmot, S Elvdal, Rendalen, Engerdal, Tolga, Tynset, Alvdal, Folldal, Os |
Oppland | Dovre, Lesja, Skjåk, Lom, Vågå, Sel, N Fron, S Fron |
Telemark | Seljord, Kviteseid, Nissedal, Fyresdal, Tokke, Tinn, Vinje |
Aust-Agder | Åmli |
Rogaland | Utsira |
Møre og Romsdal | Surnadal, Rindal, Aure, Halsa, Tustna, Smøla |
Sør-Trøndelag | Oppdal, Rennebu, Meldal, Røros, Holtålen, Tydal, Hemne, Snillfjord, Hitra, Frøya, Åfjord, Roan, Osen, Agdenes, Bjugn |
Nord-Trøndelag | Snåsa, Namsos, Namdalseid, Lierne, Røyrvik, Namsskogan, Grong, Høylandet, Overhalla, Fosnes, Flatanger, Vikna, Nærøy, Leka, Meråker, Verran, Mosvik |
Nordland | Whole county except Bodø |
Troms | Whole county except Tromsø, Kåfjord, Skjervøy, Nordreisa and Kvænangen |
Target zone C1
General aid ceiling: 10 % NGE - SME supplement: 10 % (gross)
County | Municipalities eligible for regional investment aid |
Østfold | Aremark, Marker, Rømskog |
Hedmark | Grue, Åsnes, Våler, Eidskog, Kongsvinger |
Oppland | S Land, N Land, S Aurdal, Etnedal, N Aurdal, V Slidre, Ø Slidre, Vang, , Ringebu, Gausdal |
Buskerud | Sigdal, Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål, Hol, Rollag, Nore og Uvdal |
Telemark | Bø, Sauherad, Notodden, Nome, Hjartdal, Drangedal |
Aust-Agder | Gjerstad, Vegårshei, Bygland, Valle, Bykle |
Vest-Agder | Åseral, Audnedal, Hægebostad, Sirdal, Kvinesdal |
Rogaland | Hjelmeland, Suldal, Sauda, Kvitsøy, Sokndal, Lund, Vindafjord, Finnøy |
Hordaland | Fedje, Masfjorden, Voss, Jondal, Odda, Ullensvang, Eidfjord, Ulvik, Granvin, Kvam, Modalen, Etne, Kvinnherad, Ølen |
Sogn og Fjordane | Whole county except Førde, Flora and Naustdal |
Møre og Romsdal | Gjemnes, Tingvoll, Sunndal, Norddal, Stranda, Stordal, Rauma, Nesset, Kristiansund, Averøy, Frei, Midsund, Sandøy, Eide, Vanylven, Sande |
Sør-Trøndelag | Ørland, Rissa, Midtre Gauldal, Selbu |
Nord-Trøndelag | Leksvik, Steinkjer, Verdal, Inderøy |
Nordland | Bodø |
Troms | Tromsø |
1 Possible to give 5% extra NGE in cases where one can expect an extraordinary regional impact, with exemption of municipalities in the three counties Hordaland, Rogaland and Vest-Agder.
