9.1 82 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 5/13 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 4 December 1981 on proposed assistance by the Belgian Government for investments by an Antwerp chemical firm for the production of polyether-polyol (Only the Dutch and French texts are authentic) (82/4/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having given notice to the parties concerned to submit their comments as provided for in Article 93, Whereas : 1 The Belgian law of 17 July 1959, implemented by the Royal Order of 17 August 1959 ('), introduced general measures to aid the Belgian economy and in particular interest rate rebates on loans contracted to pay for investments, State guarantees covering loans contracted by undertakings with banks where certain interest rebates are given, and exemption for five years from tax on income from immovable property. When examining the Belgian law, pursuant to the procedure defined in Article 93 (1} and (2) of the EEC Treaty, the Commission pointed out that, since it contained no industrial or regional objectives and permitted aid to be given for investment by any firm in any area or industry, it constituted a general aid system which, as such, could not qualify for exemption under Article 92 (3) (a) or (¢). In the absence of such specific references, the Commission could not assess the scheme’s effects on trade between Member States or on competition and was, therefore, unable to form (') Moniteur Belge of 29. 8. 1959. an opinion as to its compatibility with the common market. It is now the well-established policy of the Commis- sion to accept such general aid schemes subject to one of two conditions, namely that the Member State concerned informs the Commission of either a regional or sectoral plan of application or where this is feﬁ not to be possible, that it notifies significant indi- vidual cases of application. Commission Decision 75/397/EEC (3, required the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium to notify the Commission in advance and in sufficient time of significant cases of application of the Belgian Law of 17 July 1959, introducing measures to promote economic expansion and the creation of new indus- tries so as to enable the Commission to decide on the compatibility of the proposed aids with the common market. II By telex dated 18 January 1979 the Belgian Govern- ment informed the Commission of its intention to grant assistance under the Law of 17 July 1959 for investment by a chemical firm located in Antwerp. The assistance proposed by the Belgian Government is for the establishment of a plant for the manufacture of polyether-polyol with an annual production capacity of 50 000 tonnes. The investment would create 45 new jobs. () OJ No L 177, 8. 7. 1975, p. 13.