Marketing – Call II.

On 15 January 2010 the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic announced the second time-limited call for submission of projects within the MARKETING aid programme, which is focused on developing the activities of Czech exporters on foreign markets and on increasing the use of export opportunities that exist on the world market. The Marketing Programme, which is part of the Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation (OPEI), will distribute half a billion crowns among enterprises within the current call.

Subsidies support not only participation in trade fairs and exhibitions held abroad, but also the creation of related promotional materials in foreign languages. Subsidies can newly be used to cover the costs of transportation of items exhibited at trade fairs and exhibitions if such transportation is provided by an external supplier.

Small and medium-size enterprises with at least a two-year history and registered office in the Czech Republic outside of Prague can apply for financial aid. Prague-based enterprises can be involved in the programme only in the case that their regional branches will present products or services at a trade fair or exhibition. The minimum amount of aid for one project is CZK 300,000; the maximum amount is not stipulated. Aid from European Union Funds will be provided in the amount of 50% of eligible costs, i.e. costs that were expended in connection with the project. Supported activities, requirements and conditions of the programme are set forth in the text of the programme Call.

Receipt of electronic registration applications started on 1 March 2010 via the eAccount internet application and terminated on 30 June 2010.

Applicants shall be informed of the results of the assessment of individual projects continually through the termination of assessments of individual projects within Call II.

Basic characteristics:
Who can apply (aid recipients)	The aid recipient can only be a business entity that fulfils the definition of small and medium-size enterprises set forth in Annex I of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 800/2008 and must be a natural person or legal entity that has closed two consecutive tax periods.
How much can be obtained for one project (form and amount of aid)	The minimum amount is CZK 0.3 million; the maximum amount is 50% of eligible costs. Limits valid for Call II: Aid for SMEs’ initial participation in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad is provided to such SMEs in the amount of 50% of eligible project costs in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No. 800/2008 (Article 27 – Aid for SMEs intended for participation in trade fairs). Aid for SMEs’ second and subsequent instances of participation in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad is provided in the amount of 50% of eligible costs under the de minimis regime. Aid for the creation of marketing/promotional materials for the purposes of trade fairs and exhibitions within a project under this Call is provided in the amount of 50% of eligible costs under the de minimis regime, though maximally in the amount of CZK 200,000 for participation in one particular trade fair or exhibition abroad. Aid for transportation of exhibited items, including packing and handling, within a project under this Call is provided in the amount of 50% of eligible costs under the de minimis regime, though maximally in the amount of CZK 300,000 for participation in one particular trade fair or exhibition abroad.
What costs can be supported (eligible costs)	Rental, set-up and operation of a stand at trade fairs and exhibitions abroad Creation of promotional materials Transportation of exhibited items
Specifics and restrictions	The applicant’s registered office must be located outside of Prague, with the exception of cases in which export activity connected with production and services is realised outside of the Prague region. The period of project implementation must not extend beyond 31 December 2011 at that latest. Enterprises that will be supported are those whose activities are focused on the areas defined in Annex No. 1 of Call II.

It is recommended that applicants first read the text of Call II of the Marketing Programme, which contains the basic conditions including supported CZ-NACE categories, Annex I of the EC Treaty and the selection criteria.

Attached files

Description	Size	Date
Marketing - text of the programme	63.29 kB	17 Apr. 2007
Call II of the Marketing Programme	513.95 kB	19 Feb. 2010
Annex No. 1 CZ-NACE - programme MARKETING, Call II.	13.29 kB	29 Mar. 2010