Amendment to the Decree on Support for Business Costs

On 9 July 2020, the Government decided to amend the Government Decree on Support for Business Costs with regard to eligible business sectors. Three sectors that are not covered by the scope of application of the Act on Support for Business Costs were removed from the Decree. The amendment will enter into force on 10 July 2020.

According to the Act on Support for Business Costs, sectors in which the turnover for April 2020 was at least 10 per cent lower than the average monthly turnover in the reference period are eligible for support. Comparison period refers to the period from 1 March to 30 June 2019. Eligible business sectors are listed in the Annex to the Government Decree on Support for Business Costs of 26 June 2020. The amendment entered into force on 1 July 2020.

The Act on Support for Business Costs does not apply to businesses engaged in primary agricultural production, fisheries and aquaculture, as these sectors fall outside the scope of the aid scheme approved by the European Commission.

The Government decided that the following three fisheries sectors that are not covered by the scope of application of the Act are to be removed from the Annex to the Decree:

• Processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans and molluscs (10200)
• Wholesale of fish (46381)
• Retail sale of fish, crustaceans and molluscs in specialised stores (47230)

According to the Act on Support for Business Costs, support may be granted to companies engaged in sectors listed in the Annex that have experienced a significant fall in turnover due to the coronavirus and have costs that are difficult to adjust. Companies engaged in other sectors may apply for discretionary support based on weighty reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for support, the company must provide evidence of a turnover decrease of 30% from the comparison period. Eligible costs include fixed costs and payroll costs for the period from 1 April to 31 May 2020. The cost support is based on business costs for the support period and is not intended to compensate for any changes in turnover or a decrease in cash flow.

Companies can check whether their sector is eligible on the State Treasury website.

Inquiries:
Tuija Ypyä, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 062 115 (present until 10 July)
Timo Haapalehto, Senior Expert, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 218 (present 13 July to 17 July)
Teija Palko, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 064 122 (present 20 July to 31 July)
Mikko Huuskonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 3732 (present from 3 August)
Tero Meltti, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Finance, tel. +358 29 553 0770
Jarmo Huotari, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Finance, tel. +358 29 553 0418