Tourism Minister Javier Hurtado announced on Tuesday the approval of the first call for the Technological Fund, a program integrated into the Government of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan aimed at modernizing trade.
Euskaraz irakurri: Turismok enpresa txiki eta ertainen eta elkarte komertzialen eraldaketa digitalrako laguntzak aurkeztu thisu
The Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Consumption of the Basque Government presented this Tuesday Support for the digital transformation of SMEs and industry associations. Specifically, the consultant Javier Hurtado de approval of the first call for the Technology Funda program integrated into the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Government of Spain and aimed at the modernization of trade. The line is equipped with 4.1 million for Euskadi in two calls2022-2023, funded with European Next Generation Funds.
In this context, as reported by the Basque government, the first call will promote projects throughout 2022 and will be allocated two million euros. The aim of this fund is to support and promote competitiveness and modernization through the digital and sustainable transformation of the commercial sector. In 2022, more than 30 million Next Generation Funds will be implemented for the tourism and trade sectors, and more than 40 million are planned for 2023 in the Basque Country.
The Technology Fund establishes two lines of support, depending on the type of entity. On the one hand, a line for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the commercial sector; on the other hand, the other line is addressed to associations and associative entities, including federations and confederations.
digital transformation
In both cases, the expenditure which may be the subject of the investment of the aid is primarily that intended for the digital transformation. According to the Basque government, “to give a few examples, they will be investments aimed at improving customer service, relationships, knowledge and loyalty, through the use of new technologies and advanced analytics techniques. The shopping experience, cybersecurity solutions, internal communication enhancement platforms or computer applications for mobile phones or other devices”.
Second, the same source specifies: “investments go to the point of sale transformationwith the automation of operations, application of new technologies, purchase of technological furniture, integration of relational marketing and those related to the improvement of the management of the company itself”.
Thirdly, the support is also reserved for investments in the field of sustainability and circular economy: “This includes investments to reduce input consumption, optimize product distribution, delivery and return operations, improve energy efficiency, install smart delivery points or install renewable energy sources, among others.
The fourth and final line of investment is that related to the supply chain and traceability: This includes,” says the Executive, “collaboration platforms of local producers, integration of Km0 suppliers, new technologies to know the traceability of the product and the optimization of the range offered, both on the physical shelf and online”.
In addition, and in the case of the support line for associations, a fifth eligible point is included, “referring to the WiFi network installation in commercial areas and applications that provide information on the commercial offer, together with elements of heritage, to promote tourism in its gastronomic, cultural and commercial areas”.
As explained by the Basque government, “investments can be financed up to 100%, with a minimum investment of 1,500 euros for SMEs and 50,000 euros for associations, the amounts of which can reach up to 50,000 euros in SMEs and 100,000 euros for associations”. Of this first call of two million, 415,000 will go to associations and 1.6 million to companies in the commercial sector.
The order will be published on Dec. 20, which will begin the application submission period, “which will run until Jan. 19, 2023.” Hurtado recalled that the sector is already being informed and specific meetings will be closed during the week to help them with all doubts.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
