ODA Launches IMM GARANT, a New Guarantee Product to Facilitate Access to Financing for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Moldova
Specifically, the Entrepreneurship Development Organization (ODA), with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization and partner financial institutions, has introduced a new guarantee product, IMM GARANT, to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova through an individual guarantee mechanism managed by the Credit Guarantee Fund. IMM GARANT combines the standard guarantee mechanisms previously administered by ODA into a single, flexible framework. The product is designed to support SMEs' access to financing for both investment and development, as well as for ongoing operations. With this instrument, ODA facilitates access to bank and non-bank loans by providing financial guarantees that complement existing collateral and reduce financing barriers. "Real economic development begins where entrepreneurs have access to financing. "Thanks to tools like IMM GARANT and our partnership with the banking sector, we are reducing structural barriers to lending and directing resources where they create value—investment, jobs, and sustainable growth," said Vadim Codreanu, Director of the ODA. According to him, under IMM GARANT, entrepreneurs can receive financial guarantees from 100,000 to 20 million lei, depending on the loan type and the specifics of the business. In cases where SMEs lack sufficient collateral, the ODA can additionally cover the required portion of the guarantee, thereby facilitating access to financing. The guarantee level is flexible and can reach up to 80% depending on the industry and purpose of the loan, while the guarantee comes with an affordable annual fee of 1% applied to the remaining guarantee. IMM GARANT can also support investments in the acquisition of modern equipment and technology, development of enterprise infrastructure, digitalization of processes, expansion of production for export, and the implementation of energy efficiency projects. Additionally, financing of ongoing activities is permitted, including the purchase of raw materials, covering operating costs, business promotion and internationalization, and supporting production and supply processes. Particular attention is paid to supporting investments with a high economic impact, such as export-oriented projects, the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, digitalization, the modernization of industrial and agri-food processes, rural development, the circular economy, innovation, and sustainable tourism. In general, IMM GARANT is available to all micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Moldova, with the exception of those included in the exclusion list, while companies from priority sectors can benefit from more favorable guarantee conditions. Eligible enterprises can access IMM GARANT directly through ODA partner banks when applying for a loan, without having to contact ODA separately, as the process is bank-managed and carried out online. In 2025, the activities of the Loan Guarantee Fund, managed by the ODA, had a real impact on the economy: 537 financial guarantees were issued for 572.5 million lei, which allowed for the attraction of loans worth 1.57 billion lei and generated an economic impact of 1.98 billion lei. The average guarantee amount was 1.1 million lei, and the average guaranteed loan amounted to 2.94 million lei. // 01.04.2026 — InfoMarket
