The Investment Agency has launched a new business support program BRIDGE Expo with a budget of 20 million lei
As Natalia Bejan, Director of the Investment Agency, said during the presentation of the project, the new program is aimed at supporting entrepreneurship through non-reimbursable support for business associations. 17.5 million lei of the total amount of the program will be allocated for grant support. Its goal is to promote the export of goods and services to key markets. Unlike previous years, it will not support individual activities, but a more strategic approach in order to understand the industry's vision of which markets and what activities are necessary to promote exports. Within the framework of the program, grants will be allocated for participation in or organization of local and international events, as well as business missions in Moldova and abroad, development of market research, advertising and marketing, growth of export promotion potential, etc. According to Natalia Bejan, associations will submit a single package of documents on behalf of potential beneficiaries, the program implementation period is from October 2025 to March 2026. In this case, applications will be submitted by an association with the participation of at least 3 beneficiary companies in one activity. The dossier must include an application for financing, an extract from the register of legal entities, a declaration of personal responsibility, an industry marketing plan, a budget - income and expenses for the event, confirmation of the availability of own funds. The agency will provide co-financing of up to 40% of the project cost, there is no maximum limit on the application amount. Travel expenses, daily payments, etc. can be included in the program expenses. The grant will be paid in several tranches: 60% - within 300 days after signing the contract with the business association, 35% - after the first stage of progress on the activity is completed, 5% - after the final report is submitted. Applications for participation are accepted until September 3, the commission will begin working on the assessment of projects submitted for the grant on September 11. The head of the Investment Agency noted that the program was compiled based on the results of a survey of more than 370 exporting companies. The survey helped to identify existing problems in exporting and gaps in legislation. Consultations were also held with business associations - to determine the needs of the business environment and specialists of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization - this allowed to ensure financial coverage of the program. Recall that until now, Moldovan entrepreneurs could take part in the BRIDGE program, which provided the opportunity to participate in or visit international exhibitions and events.// 13.08.2025 – InfoMarket.
