ERDF support for a development project at Bridgestone's Poznan plant

7.1.2014

Question for written answer P-000081-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Konrad Szymański (ECR)

The availability of EU funding under Action 4.5.1 of the ‘Innovative Economy’ Operational Programme was instrumental in the decision to locate the innovative technology for producing the RFT 3G tyre in Poznan. The investment will help the employment situation by providing 200 more direct jobs as well as new jobs in supply and related industries.

Following the announcement of the decision of the Minister of Finance in April 2010 that funding had been granted, Bridgestone invested PLN 430 million in innovative technology in connection with the enlargement of its Poznan plant. The decision confirmed that the strict requirements on innovation and projects’ contribution to regional development and stepping up research and development activities had been met.

On 26 August 2011, Bridgestone signed a funding agreement on 25% co-financing of the investment. The enlargement process is now drawing to a close. However, completion of the project is being prevented by the lack of a decision by the Commission finally to approve the funding and the significant risk that it may refuse to do so, as the latest correspondence from the Commission appears to indicate.

This issue is likely to concern not just the case mentioned here but also other companies making investments under the special procedure for the approval of funding by the Commission.

1. What is causing the delay in the procedure to give final approval to ERDF funding for the Bridgestone project in Poznan?

2. How many other Polish factories are currently in a similar situation of waiting for the Commission to give final approval for ERDF funding, and which factories are involved? What is preventing a final decision from being taken?

OJ C 279, 22/08/2014