“workstation” means a high-performance, single-user computer primarily used for graphics, Computer Aided Design, software development, financial and scientific applications among other compute intensive tasks, and which has the following characteristics:

Computer-aided techniques, in particular Computer-Aided-Design, are used widely throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of components and equipments, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods.

Its approach is to associate the private sector and universities systematically in work on appliyng new technologies (lasers, computer-aided design and manufacture) in the leading sectors of vehicle manufacture, the aircraft industry, chemicals and engineering.

Its approach is to associate the private sector and universities systematically in work on appliyng new technologies (lasers, computer-aided design and manufacture) in the leading sectors of vehicle manufacture, the aircraft industry, chemicals and engineering.

Eligible measures The measures eligible under Retex could involve the following: a) Improving know-how by providing businesses with aid to pay for advisory services and the equipment (excluding machinery for production) to put the advice into practice, in the fields of design, quality control, computer-assisted manufacturing and planning, marketing, etc. b) Aid for the formation of local associations of businesses and other cooperation schemes for the purpose of: - improving know-how in the areas described under (a) above, - research and the development of new methods of production; - marketing and diversification of products; - improv ...[+++]ing information on market trends; - creating networks of contacts. c) Setting up teams to provide ideas and advice to assist small and medium-sized businesses. d) Temporary contributions towards paying engineers, technical staff and managers who are recruited to help in implementing modernization plans for businesses drawn up with the assistance of outside experts. e) Vocational training schemes for staff in textile and clothing firms and retraining for staff faced with reduncancy or already unemployed. f) The rehabilitation of industrial wasteland, including restoring redundant industrial buildings, aid to reduce pollution caused by industry (the treatment and recycling of liquid effluent and industrial waste). g) Improving access to venture capital and loans.

Retex schemes are open to all businesses in regions heavily dependent on the textiles and clothing industry, and mainly involve: - improving the level of know-how in businesses and encouraging cooperation between them, for example with regard to quality improvement policies, RD, flexibility, computer-aided design and manufacturing, marketing, organization and methods, health and safety; - vocational training to accompany the above and to assure the retraining of staff made redundant or threatened with unemployment in textile and clothing firms; - rehabilitation of industrial wasteland; - easier access to venture capital and loans.