the government still solicited by SMEs

Pandemic, energy and inflation… One crisis followed another. If the first is over and the second is fading – still against a backdrop of war in Ukraine – the Ministry of the Economy is still in great demand. Last year saw requests for support from companies soar by 60% compared to 2021. The ministry has a brigade of dedicated civil servants. They are called Restructuring and Prevention Commissioners. Last year, these commissioners present throughout the territory accompanied just over 3,200 weakened companies.

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In 2020 and 2021, the number of files processed had decreased due to the support measures that the State had taken during the Covid and during the various confinements. Automatically helped, companies then did not need to take steps with the public authorities. The Covid crisis is now over – at least in its most active phase – but a trolling sky hangs over the economy. The effects are lasting and the geopolitical uncertainties do not help either the cash flow or the morale of the small bosses.

All sectors concerned

The manufacturing industry is particularly affected. With SMEs and ETIs (intermediate-sized companies) in the front line. The latter represent more than 70% of the cases handled by the Restructuring Auditors. Bruno Le Maire’s services recognize that large groups do not need support. The interventions concerning them remain exceptional.

One of the black points raised by companies is foreign trade, exports. After soaring energy prices to keep factories running, difficulties in supplying electronic components or other basic materials, the economic sanctions taken against Russia continue to weigh on the production of our SMEs and ETIs, which are strongly oriented towards the international. This situation cannot end overnight. Complicated to manage for the government which intends to put an end that famous “whatever the cost”.