./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SCM/Q2/EEC/32
10 April 2002
(02-1936)
Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing MeasuresOriginal:  English
SUBSIDIES
Replies to Questions Posed by AUSTRALIA1 Regarding the
New and Full Notification of the EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES2
The following communication, dated 9 April 2002, has been received from the Permanent
Delegation of the European Commission.
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Q. According to the programme s listed in document G/SC M/N/71/EEC/Add.9, the Italian
Government provides a number of programmes, including investment incentive programmes.
Australia would appreciate advice on whether these programmes provide capital grants?  Howdo the Italian investment incentive programmes operate?  Are these discretionary programmes?
What are the criteria for qualifying for a benefit under the programmes?
Reply
The following programmes may provide for grants, including for investment:
- Aid scheme for the promotion of youth enterprise in Italy
- Special fund for applied research (FRA)- Credit scheme to cooperatives and urgent measures for employment protection- Extraordinary intervention in the south of Italy- Technological innovation fund (FIT)
- Support to innovation and development in SMEs
- Support to the reduction of energy consumption- Contributions to enterprises for substitutive activities in mining districts involved in
restructuring processes
- Female entrepreneurs
                                                     
1 G/SCM/Q2/EEC/31
2 G/SCM/N/71/EEC/Add.9G/SCM/Q2/EEC/32
Page 2
- Contribution to the realization of national energy plan aimed at rationalizing the use of
energy and renewable energy resources
The rules governing the operation of the programmes, including the eligibility criteria, differ
from programme to programme (please also refer to the explanation of to whom and how the subsidy
is paid in document G/SCM/N/71/EEC/Add.9 fo r the respective programme).  Administering
authorities are bound by the eligibility criteria laid  down in the respective legislation governing the
programme.
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