Commission promotes enterprise in EU's border regions
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in border regions between Germany and the Czech Republic and Austria and Slovenia are to benefit from grants amounting to 91.1 million euro provided under the EU's INTERREG III A programme. The Community initiative INTERREG III aims at trans-European cooperation intended to encourage harmonious and balanced development of European territory. Strand A of the initiative concerns cross border cooperation and the promotion of an integrated regional development between bordering regions. Austria and Slovenia will receive 27.3 million euro from EU funds, to be matched with 27.2 million euro from national and regional budgets and private funding. The German state of Bavaria and the Czech Republic will receive Community funding of 63.8 million euro, which will be equalled by funding from national and regional budgets as well as private funding. The funds will be used to support new enterprises and cross border infrastructures such as networks and science parks in Austria and Slovenia, and will support investments and cross border activities in Bavaria and the Czech Republic. Projects are likely to concern contact points for enterprises. Funds will also go towards human resources, mainly through promoting cooperation in training, education and culture. The programmes will be managed by the Austrian, Slovenian and Bavarian Ministries for Economy affairs, as appropriate, and will be monitored by regional committees working together on the selection of projects.