France launches emergency fuel loans for small and medium-sized businesses
France has announced the launch of an emergency loan program to help small and medium-sized businesses affected by rising fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East.
The French Ministry of Economy stated that companies operating in the transport, agriculture, and fishing sectors will be eligible for fast fuel loans of up to 50,000 euros.
This program fulfills a promise made last week by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, whose government, like others around the world, is seeking to mitigate the economic impact of rising oil prices caused by the war.
The ministry explained in a statement that the public investment bank Bpifrance will provide the loans through a simplified digital process that allows the funds to be disbursed within seven days.

The interest rate on the loans is 3.8 percent, and the repayment period can extend up to three years.
In a separate development, French Minister of Economy Roland Lescure stated that he is sending a letter to the European Commission requesting an investigation into whether oil refineries in Europe are taking advantage of the war to commit abuses in setting fuel prices.