Half a billion euros for Aida ?: Big names are interested in state aid

The federal government is offering help to companies hit by the corona crisis, and at least two large corporations have already taken a helping hand. The list of interested parties should be much longer.

According to a media report, the cruise operator Aida, the shipbuilder MV Werften and the Lower Saxony steel manufacturer Georgsmarienhütte are seeking state aid. According to "Business Insider", this emerges from a list of the federal government that is available to the business magazine. The aid for Lufthansa and Tui is already publicly known.

In addition, several auto suppliers and a Hessian aviation security company are on the list. Aida announced a financial requirement of around half a billion euros. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance did not want to comment specifically on the report. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Economic Affairs referred to trade and business secrets that should be taken into account.

Aida said it was examining whether the instruments and programs offered by the federal government were suitable for the company. "We are not aware of any considerations about possible state participation." A spokesman for Georgsmarienhütte said that no speculations were made. The MV Werften could not be reached for inquiries.

According to earlier information from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 14 companies have announced the need for recapitalization. For most companies, however, the test is only just beginning. In total, the federal government has received expressions of interest for the economic stabilization fund from almost 60 companies. In this, 100 billion euros are reserved for direct company investments.

So far – apart from Lufthansa and Tui- – no specific names have been mentioned. However, experts assume that there are companies from branches that are particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic – these include the travel and tourism industry, parts of industry and logistics.

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