(a) Transfer or sale of assets. —
(1) Where there has been a transfer or sale of the business assets of an eligible taxpayer to a successor which subsequent to the transfer constitutes an eligible taxpayer as defined in this article, which continues to operate the manufacturing business in this state, and which remains subject to the taxes prescribed under article twenty-three or twenty-four of this chapter, or both, the successor eligible taxpayer is entitled to the credit allowed under this article: Provided, That the successor taxpayer otherwise remains in compliance with the requirements of this article for entitlement to the credit.