State aid programmes for 2007–2013

To ensure Latvia’s approach towards European Union average level of welfare, in 2007 – 2013 programming period the support will be provided to the development of science, innovation and business by encouraging research, development and technology transfer, promoting practical research, encouraging the formation of new enterprises and by facilitating availability of financial resources.

To encourage development of innovation in 2007 – 2013 programming period the assistance will be provided to the formation of competence centers and integrated technology transfer systems, finance of new high and medium technology companies in technology incubators, attraction of highly-qualified workforce, acquisition of equipment and instruments to implement manufacturing of innovative products as well as to the investment in enterprises who during production process generate high value added.

To promote development of entrepreneurship in 2007 – 2013 planning period ERDF will provide support for capture of external markets, establishment of clusters and business incubators, business development consultations, investment in small and medium-sized companies in specially supported territories and development of industrial territories.

After evaluating the implementation of European Union structural funds in 2004 – 2006 programming period, responsible authorities have planned to develop more effective and transparent implementation system of state aid programmes that would provide more opportunities for attracting investment.

During 2007 – 2013 programming period Investment and Development agency of Latvia will offer wide range of consultation opportunities for entrepreneurs to help them to choose the most appropriate state aid programme as well as to prepare good quality project application.

In accordance with the management draft law of the European Union structural funds and the Cohesion fund, the whole project application evaluation procedure will not be divided in administrative and quality specific evaluation procedures but there will be one united evaluation procedure. Consequently project applications will be evaluated based on their total quality and contribution to development of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Mainly the evaluation of project applications will be held in form of open tender. After the announcement of open tender and submission of project applications they will be compared against each other.

After the submission deadline of project applications final decision upon approval or rejection of project application will be made during tree to four months.

It is also intended, that during the implementation of state aid programmes advanced payments will be made to relieve the funding of the project.

We want to inform you that the above mentioned information was prepared on the basis of Operational Programme „Entrepreneurship and Innovations” supplement and the informative materials of the conference „Funding for innovation and entrepreneurship Development in years 2007.-2013.” organized by the Ministry of Economics of Republic of Latvia.

 Please, follow the information in official internet sites www.esfondi.lv .