Moldova has developed a new program to support local producers, its budget is almost 190 million lei.
The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization has registered a draft government decree approving the Program for Improving the Competitiveness of Local Manufacturers and Integration into Value Chains. This is a new 3-year state program to support the development of small and medium-sized businesses, which is aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills in the following areas: management, business planning, marketing, digitization of production and services, quality management, logistics and finance, etc. The program includes three components. As part of the first, seminars and trainings will be organized, a database of enterprises interested in identifying domestic and/or international buyers will be developed - businesslink.md. It is also planned to establish cooperation with foreign trade promotion organizations, business associations, importers and distributors, etc. Two other components of the program include the possibility of providing financial assistance to companies. Thus, companies will be able to receive grants to cover the costs of introducing international and European standards for goods and services, development of human resources and internal development of the organization, implementation of engineering and IT solutions, etc. The maximum grant amount is 50% of the cost of these services (excluding VAT), but not more than 600 thousand lei per applicant. At the same time, 60% will be compensated to companies run by women, as well as rural and social enterprises. The third component of the program opens up even greater opportunities, under which enterprises will be able to receive co-financing (up to 50% of all expenses) of up to 2 million lei for the purchase of services, as well as other assets that will allow them to introduce information technologies, digital solutions, and introduce modern standards doing business, etc. The program will be implemented within 36 months. According to preliminary estimates, its implementation will require 189.5 million lei, part of which will be allocated from the state budget, and part will be provided by development partners. The draft program sets out the eligibility criteria and the areas of economic activity that will benefit from the support. The program must be approved by the government. // 09.04.2024 – InfoMarket
