for large companies, a firm in difficulty as defined in point 2.1 of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty

That simplification should be without prejudice to the qualification of those SMEs under those Guidelines with regard to aid not covered by this Regulation and without prejudice to the qualification as undertakings in difficulty of large enterprises, under this Regulation, which remain subject to the full definition provided in those Guidelines.

19. Observes that non-bank lenders (private equity) are playing an increasing role in the leveraged sector in the European Union and are prepared in many cases to take on a higher risk than traditional banking institutions; furthermore, notes that non-bank lenders have made a significant contribution to greater employment and growth in the companies in their sector; considers that this could raise problems when the credit cycle next turns and could lead to a much more complex cycle of large corporate debt restructuring; requests the ECB and other bodies involved to assess the adequacy of current debt restructuring processes in this ne ...[+++]w context;

19. Observes that non-bank lenders (private equity) are playing an increasing role in the leveraged sector in the European Union and are prepared in many cases to take on a higher risk than traditional banking institutions; furthermore, notes that non-bank lenders have made a significant contribution to greater employment and growth in the companies in their sector; deems that it could raise problems when the credit cycle next turns and could lead to a much more complex cycle of large corporate debt restructuring; requests the ECB and other bodies involved to assess the adequacy of current debt restructuring processes in this new cont ...[+++]ext;

26. Supports the definition of initial investment suggested by the Commission and, in particular, the differentiation of eligible expenses between SMEs and large companies as outlined in paragraphs 31et seq . of the draft Regional Aid Guidelines, but hopes for greater flexibility allowing for specific situations, where this is justified; calls on the Commission, however, to clarify whether, on the basis of the draft Regional Aid Guidelines, the provision of services will be eligible for aid, as well as the supply of products; furthermore considers that, when defining initial investment, the current requirement that the investment should lead to fundamental changes in terms ...[+++]of the rationalisation, diversification or modernisation of the product or production process should continue to be used, since it seems less restrictive than the requirement to bring a completely new product onto the market;

25. Supports the definition of initial investment suggested by the Commission and, in particular the differentiation of eligible expenses between SME and large companies as outlined in paragraphs 31et seq. of the draft guidelines on regional aid, but hopes for greater flexibility allowing for specific situations, where this is justified; calls on the Commission, however, to clarify whether, on the basis of the proposed guidelines, the provision of services will be eligible for aid, as well as the supply of products; furthermore considers that, when defining initial investment, the current requirement that the investment should lead to fundamental changes in terms ...[+++]of the rationalisation, diversification or modernisation of the product or production process should continue to be used, since it seems less restrictive than the requirement to bring a completely new product onto the market;