Substantial backing was provided for Italian SMEs, in cooperation with the domestic banking sector. The EIB concluded 21 global loans for a total EUR 2.5 billion, including 17 targeting SMEs, and four dedicated loans: two for small and medium-scale infrastructure, one for the audiovisual sector and medium-scale projects in the renewable energy sector. A global loan is a credit line advanced by the EIB to a financial institution for on-lending to SMEs. A successful effort was also made to further diversify financial intermediaries in favour of regional institutions (Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara, Hypo Alpe Adria Bank and Banca delle March ...[+++]e).

[1] The services of the information society and media industries were already described in the 1998 Green Paper on convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors and the implications for regulation towards an information society approach - COM(97) 623 - and, taking into account new developments, in the 2003 Communication on the Future of European Regulatory Audiovisual Policy - COM(2003) 784.

European dimension in film industry and audiovisual sector

The Community Directives treat audio and audio-visual performers on an equal footing.

To take, for instance, the convergence of the telecommunication industries, audio and computer technology, which I feel pose fundamental questions regarding the way in which we produce and consume these industries.

Tax credits provide a fundamental tool for involvement in audiovisual production.