Forty companies involved in food processing are the latest recipients of state aid prompted by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The companies will between them receive EUR 523,900 in aid, channeled via the Agricultural Registers and Information Board (PRIA), as a component of the already-budgeted rural development plan for 2014-2020.
PRIA falls under the Rural Affairs Ministry’s purview.
PRIA spokesperson Rauno Aun said via press releas: “We believe this support will help food processing companies overcome the damages caused by the crisis and carry out their promotion plans.”
The lion’s share of the aid is going to Harju and Tartu counties, two of the currently most-affected regions in the pandemic, with EUR 188,000 and EUR 89,000 going respectively to companies there.
Firms in Saaremaa engaged in food processing will get EUR 87,000, it is reported.
Applications for support opened in late October, with just a few days until they closed again on November 4.
Support was capped at EUR 25,000 per recipient, PRIA said, with five businesses receiving the full sum. Most of the recipients have already received their funds, with the balance to be paid out in the next few days. (ERR/Business World Magazine)