WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2945/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Council. Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs
C 135/142 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 14. 5. 1999 The Council is looking forward to cooperate with the new Government in Tirana, especially in the areas of economic and democratic reform, and the enhancement of internal security. It made clear the absolute necessity of progress in the national reconciliation process, and of the adoption of the constitution, and urged all political forces, and in particular the leadership of the Democratic Party to live up to their responsibility towards the Albanian people. The Council welcomed the successful holding of the International Conference in Tirana on 30 October, which took stock of cooperation between the International Community and Albania and mapped out cooperation with the new Government in its pledge to restore democracy, security and political and economic stability to the country. (1999/C 135/173) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/98 by David Martin (PSE) to the Commission (8 October 1998) Subject: Reduction of VAT on certain labour-intensive services Could the Commission say what progress has been made on the Communication submitted by the Commission on 12 November 1997 to encourage job creation at a local level and combat certain types of ‘undeclared’ work by reducing VAT on labour-intensive services such as building renovation etc. ? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (27 October 1998) The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the communication on the possibility of a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services for an experimental period and on an optional basis which it presented to the Council on 12 December 1997 (1) is still being discussed by that institution. The Commission has now begun work on a proposal for an instrument on reduced rates of VAT. It would be premature at this stage to discuss how activities such as building renovation should be treated for VAT purposes. This matter will be addressed during the work on which the Commission is currently engaged. (1) SEC(97) 2089 final. (1999/C 135/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/98 by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Council (19 October 1998) Subject: Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs The Ecofin Council has approved the allocation of EUR 420 million to various measures aimed at SMEs, including a loan-guarantee fund requiring a financial contribution from the Member States. The Italian Ministry for Industry has initiated a yet to be concluded legislative procedure for the adoption of a decree establishing a national guarantee fund to match the European fund. The Italian fund should have been available by mid-September, but the decree is not expected to be issued in the near future