Over the past year, 2.5 thousand Moldovan companies received state support through the ODA in the amount of about 850 million lei.
Such data was provided by the Enterprise Development Organization, noting that financial support was provided to entrepreneurs in the form of grants, financial guarantees, reimbursement of interest on loans or subsidizing the cost of participating in exhibitions. Currently, companies are supported through 15 business support programs funded from the state budget or through resources attracted from external partners. Thus, with the support of the EU, grant programs are being implemented for start-up entrepreneurs or those who support digitization, greening and re-technology of business. With the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Digital Innovation Program is being implemented, with the support of the World Bank, the SME Internationalization Program, and with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Enterprise and Economic Growth Foundation of Moldova (FACEM) is being developed, which offers access to loans on favorable terms for local entrepreneurs. Also, through the ODA, companies can receive individual guarantees for loans and borrowings, and a new product, Portfolio Guarantees, will soon be launched, which will increase the ability of entrepreneurs to raise capital from the banking sector and reduce the interaction time between banks, ODA and entrepreneurs. It is emphasized that the 373 Program was recently launched, which provides unprecedented conditions for lending to small and medium-sized businesses: companies can receive a loan of up to 15 million lei in any of 11 commercial banks at an interest rate of only 3% in foreign currency and 7% in lei, with a grace period of up to 3 years. From July 1 to August 31, through the ODA, the expenses of patent holders who have switched to independent activities of individuals are compensated in the amount of up to 10 thousand lei, and in the near future, the expenses of entities that train specialists in the process of dual training will also be compensated. The implementation of the program for the creation of multifunctional industrial platforms and the provision of state guarantees to individuals under the First Home program are also ongoing. According to the ODA, new initiatives to support entrepreneurs will be launched in the coming period, including programs focused on rural tourism, women's entrepreneurship, small producers and the integration of local companies into value chains. ODA was established in July 2022 following a reorganization of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Organization. //18.07.2023 – InfoMarket.
