BRUSSELS (Brussels Morning) – The Brussels government has approved the principle of a new aid measure for companies experiencing difficulties due to the corona crisis. A budget of 58 million euros has been decided upon for the worst affected sectors: the nightlife, tourist accommodation, events, restaurants and cafes and some of their suppliers, sports and passenger transport.
The intention of the new aid measure is for the companies that had to close the business at the end of the year 2021 and in the first quarter of the year 2022 or those that were hindered in their activities by the various health measures and COVID restrictions, such as a complete closure of the discotheques, the limitation of the number of people per table in restaurants and cafes or limiting the number of people that can attend events at once.
There will be two premiums: a ‘TL3 premium’ for tourist accommodation places of 1,100 euros per accommodation unit (budget: 18 million euros); and a ‘Premie 2022’ for discotheques, events, restaurants, cafes and their suppliers, tourism, sport and passenger transport.
Loss of turnover
The amounts and modalities of this premium are currently being finalised. They are calculated on the basis of the loss of turnover and the number of full-time equivalents (budget assigned is 40 million).
The premiums will be available after approval of the decisions, the advice of the social partners and the Council of State and notification to the European Commission.
“The nightlife, the catering industry and its suppliers, the event industry, culture, tourism, sport and even paid passenger transport are still affected by this unprecedented crisis. They provide numerous direct and indirect jobs and undeniably contribute to the reputation and the international image of Brussels”, Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (PS) explains the new support.
“The aim of the premium is to allow the residents of Brussels and the visitors to enjoy our city again through the interplay of events, restaurants, cafes, culture and residential tourism for which Brussels has a patent,” adds Minister of Finance Sven Gatz (Open VLD).
