![Roland Lescure (Photo d'illustration). [Quentin de Groeve / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/133343530/7df852056a1bf3444dbd64b91a97e2ca0d962338378b203b728186ce96fafa79)
Overview
- Economy Minister Roland Lescure said the short-term loan scheme will open to construction and public works firms through the Bpifrance portal in the coming days.
- Loans range from €5,000 to €50,000 at a 3.8% interest rate with no collateral, giving very small and small businesses quick cash to cover rising fuel-linked bills.
- Launched in April for farmers, fishers, small road haulers and individual taxis, the program has processed 7,000 applications with €3.3 million paid out, and several hundred more requests under review total about €30 million.
- Officials cited sharp increases in prices for oil-derived building goods such as insulation, plastics, solvents, paints and adhesives after higher crude costs.
- The government is finalizing a June support package, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu expected to outline more business aid this week, and a separate grant for public road transport opens Tuesday.