The Ministry of Economy and Finance (Bercy) is launching a "flash fuel loan" to ease the burden on small businesses at the pump.

There's a palpable sense of urgency among SMEs that are constantly running out of fuel. On Friday, the Ministry of the Economy announced the upcoming launch of a "flash fuel loan" operated in partnership with Bpifrance, designed to support the cash flow of small businesses hit hard by rising fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East. The idea is simple, almost brutal: to inject money quickly when diesel prices are eroding profit margins and the bill is turning into a never-ending saga.

In concrete terms, eligible micro-enterprises and SMEs will be able to borrow between €5,000 and €50,000 at a rate of 3,80%, without collateral. The scheme primarily targets the transport, agriculture, and fishing sectors, provided that fuel accounts for at least 5% of revenue. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance promises a streamlined process: after approval, the funds should arrive within seven days, via a fully digital procedure managed by Bpifrance. Quick, therefore, like going through the checkout, but with a clearly defined entry requirement.

Fast credit, but not without oversight

The government wants to avoid indiscriminate distribution of this financial boost. To limit windfall gains, companies must have been in operation for more than a year and agree to open their accounts, granting Bpifrance access to their bank statements for the past few months. The repayment schedule is based on a 36-month term, with a 12-month grace period for principal repayment, allowing time for the peak of financial strain to subside before the final payment is due.

At the same time, the French Ministry of Economy and Finance (Bercy) is applying pressure upstream. Roland Lescure has asked the European Commission to examine refinery profit margins in Europe and verify the absence of "abuses," while checks at the pumps are ramping up: more than 630 service stations inspected and 5% penalized as of March 12, according to the fraud squad. Caught between providing credit to sustain the economy and implementing controls to contain the surge, the government is trying to buy time, hoping that the price spike doesn't become the new normal.