At today’s session, the Government of Serbia adopted four programs of financial support of the Ministry of Economy to small and medium enterprises, for which seventeen million euros were allocated.
Minister of Economy Andjelka Atanaskovic explains for Tanjug that this is a program for the purchase of equipment, encouragement of entrepreneurship through development projects, support programs for starting businesses and programs for young and women entrepreneurs, for which public invitations are expected in early February.
According to her, the most money, 13 million euros, was set aside for the purchase of equipment, of which the non-refundable part can be 25 percent of the funds for this purpose, 70 percent came from a bank or leasing company, and five percent of the funds are provided by the company itself.
A public call for partner banks and leasing companies that provide co-financing in this program is expected in early February, after which public calls for micro, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs and cooperatives for grants will be published.
1.2 million euros were set aside for the program to help beginners in business, and the Ministry of Economy co-finances 30 or 40 percent of the total investment for economic entities from underdeveloped local governments with non-refundable funds, while the rest is obtained from a loan from the Development Fund.
Minister Atanaskovic states that 1.6 million euros have been provided for the program of encouraging entrepreneurship through development projects.
“It is a combination of non-refundable funds that make up to 20, ie 30 percent of the investment for economic entities that belong to the fourth development group and a favorable loan from the Development Fund,” said Atanaskovic.
For the first time this year, a program is being implemented to support women and young entrepreneurs who are beginners in business.
“For this program, which is intended for women and young people up to 30 years of age, 800 thousand euros have been set aside,” the minister said.
She explained that the program is a combination of 35, ie 45 percent of non-refundable funds, and a favorable loan from the Development Fund.
“Small and medium enterprises make up almost 99 percent of the Serbian economy, and the Ministry, through these programs, which are very favorable in the current conditions, strives to help companies,” says Atanaskovic.
The Ministry will help small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, in addition to financial and a set of services that includes free training, information, counseling and mentoring, Politika reports.
