Conditions imposed on the state of Saxony-Anhalt

13.11.2013

Question for written answer E-012910-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Heide Rühle (Verts/ALE) , Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE)

The federal state-owned company IBG in Saxony-Anhalt is supposed to promote young, innovative companies in the federal state through regional investments and to use ERDF funds for this purpose. Since its inception in the 1990s, the chairmen of IBG’s supervisory board have been the respective Ministers for Economic Affairs; the Ministry of Finance is a shareholder.

In 2007, the investment management was privatised: the company GoodVent GmbH & Co. KG took over the administration and management of the IBG.

It was GoodVent’s job to procure private capital. Of the EUR 20 million in private capital, however, only EUR 9 million has so far been invested.

Should the state government have laid down a contractual obligation for investment of the private capital in accordance with EU requirements?

In 2006, the state government of Saxony-Anhalt claimed that, in the appointment of GoodVent, a condition imposed by the EU had to be met. The Commission allegedly called for a private company to be entrusted with this. (Source: minutes of the meeting of the Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs of 20 June 2007).

What conditions has the EU actually imposed on the state of Saxony-Anhalt?

Did the Commission call for a private company to be entrusted with the investment management?

Companies in the ‘Schlossgruppe Neugattersleben’ group were also granted conspicuous sums in financial assistance. Some of the companies were already insolvent, but were re-established with the same management but under new names, and in turn received funding through the IBG. (Source: extracts from the register of companies for Albis Germany Nonwoven, later ASCANIA Nonwoven)

What criteria must be met from the Commission’s point of view for business development investment from the IBG?

Is innovation a mandatory criterion for support? Is it permissible for insolvent companies to be supported?

According to a statement by the Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs, the IBG is only permitted to invest in companies based in Saxony-Anhalt and neighbouring regions. However, the IBG used the ERDF funds to also invest in companies in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin and Austria. (Sources: list of IBG investments from the Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs, extracts from the register of companies)

Are the ERDF funds of the IBG also permitted to be used in other federal states and in other countries?

OJ C 231, 17/07/2014