Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for measure BE-2020-13/422 – measures in Belgium
Country |
Belgium
, applies regionally
|
Time period | Open ended, started on 25 March 2020 |
Context | COVID-19 |
Type | Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Category |
Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Direct subsidies (full or partial) |
Author | Dries Van Herreweghe (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) and Eurofound |
Measure added | 09 April 2020 (updated 07 May 2020) |
The Walloon regional government provides financial support for small companies (less than 50 employees) in certain sectors that are facing cashflow problems due to the Corona virus. The measure provides a direct financial contribution to companies that are forced to close due to the Corona virus or the associated measures. The financial support is also provided to companies that experience a significant decrease in revenue due to the Corona virus or related measures.
The region has set up an emergency fund of approximately €233 million to aid the sectors and companies that have been directly impacted by the Corona virus and/or associated measures.
Eligible companies that are forced to close due to the crisis can avail of a single tax-free payment of €5,000 to support them.
In addition, a lower amount, €2,500, is available for companies that notice a significant reduction in revenue because of the situation.
In addition there are also guarantees available through the regional government and loans of up to €200,000.
The following sectors are eligible : Washing and polishing of motor vehicles Retail Other passenger land transport Accommodation Eating and drinking establishments Other activities of specialised designers Rental and leasing of tents Rental and leasing of crockery, glassware, kitchen utensils, tableware, electric household appliances and other household utensils Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service and related activities Organisation of congresses and fairs Driving schools Specialised image, lighting and sound techniques Other personal services (laundry, hairdresser, beauty care, ...) Fairground attractions Tourist attractions
Approximately 48,890 small businesses are eligible (small and in the designated sector) for the single payment of €5,000 due to closure.
In addition approximately 6015 companies are able to apply for the lower compensation of €2,500 because of a significant reduction activity/revenue.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Does not apply to workers |
Sector specific set of companies
SMEs |
Does not apply to citizens |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
Local / regional government
|
Regional funds
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
---|---|---|
Role | Informed | Informed |
Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
N/A
It is to be expected that social partners were at least informed of the measures, their concrete involvement is unclear.
This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
Economic area | Sector (NACE level 2) |
---|---|
G - Wholesale And Retail Trade; Repair Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles | G47 Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
H - Transportation And Storage | H49 Land transport and transport via pipelines |
I - Accommodation And Food Service Activities | I55 Accommodation |
I56 Food and beverage service activities | |
R - Arts, Entertainment And Recreation | R90 Creative, arts and entertainment activities |
R93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities | |
S - Other Service Activities | S96 Other personal service activities |
This case is not occupation-specific.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Wallonia: Financial support for SMEs, measure BE-2020-13/422 (measures in Belgium), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/BE-2020-13_422.html
Share
30 January 2023
Governments across the EU continue to implement policies to support citizens and businesses in the face of rising food and energy prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and intensified by the war in Ukraine. This article summarises the policy responses as reported in Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch database from January to September 2022.
Article12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
Article5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
ArticleDisclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.