Paulo Novais / LUSA
Company affected by the wind of depression Kristin, Figueira da Foz
Credit lines are reaching a “very limited number” of companies. And there are “delays in the actions of insurance companies”.
Several business associations and a technology center warned today that Credit lines for companies affected by bad weather are reaching a “very limited number”, in addition to persisting “delays in the performance of insurers.”
“The credit lines created to support affected companies are reaching a very limited number of companies. In many cases, the processes continue to be treated by banking institutions as conventional credit operations, with additional collateral requirements, including mortgages“, reads a press release sent to the Lusa agency.
According to the note, “this approach contradicts the objective of the measures exceptional support and creates additional obstacles for companies at a time when they need quick responses and effective”, also mentioning that “there are still few companies that have actually received the requested amounts”.
The press release comes almost six weeks after the Kristin depression seriously affected the Leiria region, a territory where many companies “still lack effective responses that would allow them to recover from the damage suffered and fully resume their activity”, and a meeting, to take a “status of the support measures announced and identify the main constraints”.
The meeting was attended by the Business Associations of the Leiria Region/Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Commerce, Industry, Services and Tourism of the Leiria Region, Business Associations of the Municipality of Pombal and the Construction and Public Works Industry Associations of Leiria and Ourém.
There were also associations of Metallurgical and Electromechanical Companies, the Ceramic and Crystal Industry, the Plastics Industry and the Mold Industry, as well as the Technological Center for the Mold, Special Tools and Plastics Industry.
Another problem identified is related to the “delays in the actions of insurersparticularly in carrying out examining face-to-face and the provision of advances relating to reported claims”.
“These advances are essential to allow companies to quickly begin repair and recovery work on their facilities and equipment”, they maintain.
On the other hand, the note states that a notice within the scope of the IFIC — Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness “presents limitations which could prevent many affected companies from accessing the planned support.”
Thus, business associations defend the expansion of eligible economic activity codes (CAE), the possibility of accepting self-declaration of damages validated by a certified public accountant or official auditor, the increase in the limit for reconstruction works to 50% of eligible investment and the elimination of criteria relating to the contribution to export growth and net job creation.
These entities point out that “the moment demands speed in the execution of measures, pragmatism in their application and the ability to adapt to the reality of companies”, warning that the instruments created will only be “effective if they are able to respond to the concrete needs of those on the ground rebuilding facilities, recovering equipment and resuming economic activity”.
On the other hand, they understand that it is essential to work, in conjunction with the Recovery Mission Structure for the Central Region of the Country, “with the region’s local authorities and with entities in the scientific and technological system, in defining a structured vision for the recovery and development of the regional economy”, but “this vision of the future requires that the most urgent problems be resolved quickly”.
The subscribers also consider it essential that the Mission Structure defines the model of “concrete action” that it “intends to undertake with agents in the region”.
