Due to COVID-19 health crisis, many measures have been taken by the authorities to alleviate its effects on society. Among them, on 31 March 2020 the Catalan Government, through the Department of Business and Knowledge, activated a package of subsidies in the field of retail, services, crafts and fashion with the aim of promoting economic recovery in these sectors.
The subsidies, of up to 9 million euros, are intended to preserve as many establishments and businesses as possible, especially for those companies that have been forced to close down as a result of the declaration of the state of emergency.
There are 7 lines of aid, grouped into 3 large blocks:
• 2 lines of aid for the associative fabric. They are aimed at non-profit organisations in the commerce, craft and fashion sector, with territorial or sectorial representation, market associations, cooperatives or purchasing centres. These are aids of up to 80% of their support costs to associated companies in management and marketing areas, as well as in the structure of the entities to develop their function.
• 4 lines of aid to SMEs in commerce, crafts and fashion. These are aids to cover up to 100% of their action, management and marketing costs to reactivate their businesses. In turn, aid of up to 60% of their investment costs in retail outlets to relaunch their activity (provided it is over 2,000.00 euros).
• 1 line of support to municipalities in the area of Trade and Crafts. This is aid to cover up to 50% of the costs of public-private actions. The beneficiaries of this aid are the municipalities and other local entities in the field of commerce and crafts.
The subsidies will be channeled through the Consortium of Commerce, Crafts and Fashion of Catalonia (CCAM) of the Ministry of Enterprise and Knowledge, and can be applied for soon.
We are at your disposal to provide any further information or clarification you may need.
Elena Ramírez Marín
Socia área fiscal