State aid: Commission approves €12 million Italian scheme to support art and tourism publishers and journals in context of coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €12 million Italian scheme to support art and tourism publishers and journals in Italy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants to partially compensate the significant reduction of revenues associated to the sale of art and tourism publications in 2020, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) will be granted until no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case numbers SA.62191 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.