Press Release: State aid: Commission authorises France to introduce temporary aid scheme for businesses up to a maximum of €500 000

The European Commission authorised, under EC Treaty state aid rules, the first in a series of aid measures for businesses adopted by France to tackle the current economic crisis. The scheme will allow state, regional or local authorities and certain public bodies to grant aid of up to €500 000 in 2009 and 2010 to businesses which find themselves in difficulty as a result of the current economic crisis or are experiencing financing problems because of the credit squeeze.