Thirty-three Brussels companies obtained emergency loans from Société régionale d’investissement de Bruxelles (SRIB).
They are mainly hotel, restaurant and café establishments (55%), stated Tuesday Brussels Deputy Hannelore Goeman (sp.a), based on figures presented by the Regional Minister of the Economy Didier Gosuin. Many cases are still being considered.
In the wake of the Brussels attacks of March 22nd, two types of support were proposed based on the size of companies. It is on the one hand the provision of investment loans for up to 20,000 euros at a reduced rate for independent and micro enterprises (TPE), and on the other, loans of up to 250,000 euros for large companies.
These two measures, in force until the end of this year, may only be granted to companies with a decrease in sales of at least 30% following the attacks (from October 2015 to April 2016). In total, 2.1 million euros in loans were provided to about thirty companies. Close to 150 companies applied. Several cases are still being analysed. Mrs. Goeman is surprised by the meagre number of applications, “given the large number of catastrophes and avalanche of bankruptcies predicted.”
The office of Minister Gosuin argues that the criterion of a decrease of 30% in sales excludes many companies, with a similar situation for companies in trouble prior to the attacks. “Considering support in communication in May and the 30% limit, we consider the number of companies is still high,” the office stated.
