Juncker Plan backs agreement to provides €100 million in loans for small and medium-sized enterprises in Finland
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has concluded an agreement with Tesi, a state-owned investment company, to provide innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Finland with access to €100 million worth of loans. The agreement was made possible by the support of the Juncker Plan’s European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). As of July 2018, the Juncker Plan is now set to trigger €7.6 billion in investments in Finland and €335 billion across the EU. Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: “The Investment Plan’s European Fund for Strategic Investments was designed to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises gain access to finance they need to expand, innovate and create jobs. So far, around 700,000 small businesses across Europe are expected to benefit. I am delighted that, with today’s transaction, the Investment Plan will allow Finnish firms to benefit from €100 million in financing opportunities.” A full press release can be found here. (For more information: Christian Spahr – Tel.: +32 229 50055; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)
EU releases €2 million in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines
The European Commission has announced €2 million in humanitarian aid funding for the vulnerable communities living in the Philippines’ violence-plagued province of Mindanao. “Hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes due to continued conflict in Mindanao. They left everything behind and are struggling to sustain their day-to-day lives,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. “This assistance underlines the EU’s solidarity with the people of the Philippines. It will ensure that the most vulnerable have sufficient means to get through these difficult times.” The funding will provide displaced families and host communities affected by the conflict with food assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene, emergency education for children and protection against the pervasive violence. According to the latest data available, at least 500 000 people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in the region, including more than 270 000 displaced people and some 100 000 out-of-school children. Since 1996, the EU has allocated over €117 million in emergency assistance to victims of conflict and natural disasters in the Philippines. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322 ; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)
Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of Zeamarine by Maritime Holdings and Zeaborn
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over Zeamarine GmbH of Germany by Maritime Holdings (Delaware), LLC of the US and Zeaborn Chartering Management GmbH (“Zeaborn”) of Germany. Zeamarine will be active in general cargo shipping on multi-purpose vessels. Maritime Holdings, controlled by New Mountain Capital of the US, is a provider of ocean transportation services. Zeaborn is an ocean shipping group. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the limited impact it would have on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8992. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100)
Concentrations: la Commission européenne autorise l’acquisition d’Averys par Blackstone
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition du groupe Averys, basé en France, par le groupe Blackstone basé aux États-Unis. Averys produit des solutions sur mesure de rayonnage et de stockage pour des entrepôts, sous des marques telles que Stow, Storax, Feralco, Duwic et Acial. Blackstone est un gestionnaire alternatif d’actifs au niveau mondial, qui fournit également des services de conseil financier. La Commission a conclu que l’opération envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de l’absence de relations horizontales et verticales entre les entreprises. La transaction a été examinée dans la cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.9045. (Pour plus d’informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100)
Eurostat: Excédent de 22,5 milliards d’euros du commerce international de biens de la zone euro
D’après les premières estimations pour le mois de juin 2018, les exportations de biens de la zone euro (ZE19) vers le reste du monde se sont établies à 198,6 milliards d’euros, en hausse de 5,7% par rapport à juin 2017 (187,9 milliards). Les importations depuis le reste du monde ont quant à elles été de 176,1 milliards d’euros, en hausse de 8,6% par rapport à juin 2017 (162,2 milliards). En conséquence, la zone euro a enregistré en juin 2018 un excédent de 22,5 milliards d’euros de son commerce international de biens avec le reste du monde, contre +25,7 milliards en juin 2017. Le commerce intra-zone euro s’est établi à 170,7 milliards d’euros en juin 2018, soit +7,1% par rapport à juin 2017. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations: Daniel Rosario – Tél.: +32 229 56185; Kinga Malinowska – Tél: +32 229 51383)
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