The Government of the Republic of Moldova, within the framework of programs to support entrepreneurship, allocated 1.32 billion lei of financial assistance in 2023, which made it possible to attract 2.21 billion lei of investments into the economy - ODA.
This was reported by the Organization for Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA), summing up the results of work last year. As noted, in particular, in 2023, within the framework of entrepreneurship support programs implemented by the ODA, the government provided financial assistance to approximately 3,000 companies in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector and approximately 3,500 patent holders; about 1.32 billion lei were allocated for these purposes in the form of grants, financial guarantees, compensation for interest on investment loans, compensation for expenses for the transition to independent activity, subsidies for participation in exhibitions, provision of infrastructure and compensation for expenses of dual education units. This fact contributed to attracting investments in the economy amounting to 2.21 billion lei. The ODA emphasized that, thus, out of the total number of supported enterprises, 596 companies received access to gratuitous financing totaling about 271 million lei, retained about 10 thousand jobs and created another 2,377. Financial guarantees amounting to about 481.6 million lei were provided to 455 enterprises. The newly issued guarantees facilitated access for these companies to loans amounting to 1.13 billion lei and contributed to attracting investments in the economy amounting to 1.48 billion lei. The state program “373” was launched, within the framework of which, in the first 6 months alone, 176 companies received cheaper loans, the total cost of investment projects amounted to 753 million lei. Thanks to the program, 200 new jobs have been created in beneficiary companies, and another 283 are planned to be created in the near future, according to investment projects. In addition, another 285 start-up companies benefited from the support infrastructure within 11 business incubators. At the same time, 1,347 entrepreneurs received partial compensation for interest on investment loans concluded before August 1, 2022, for a total amount of 14.13 million lei. Herewith, ODA was present in all regions of the country, providing free information about programs and tools to support entrepreneurship, individual consultations and free training on the development of entrepreneurial skills. In total, 116 information sessions were organized, more than 14.5 thousand people were individually consulted and about 3 thousand people were trained. 281 companies received partial reimbursement of expenses for participation in fairs and exhibitions for a total amount of 1.34 million lei. For the first time in 2023, 26 units of dual education received compensation from the state in the amount of 3.51 million lei for expenses incurred on the organization and implementation of vocational training programs for students. With the entry into force of the patent reform, the ODA received and approved 3,552 applications, the value of the allocated compensation amounted to 25.62 million lei. Approximately 95% of former patent holders switched to independent activities, individual entrepreneurship, and limited liability companies. In 2024, with the support of the government and external development partners, new programs will be launched that will support the economic empowerment of women (Women's Entrepreneurship) and small businesses (Small Producers). // 13.02.2024 — InfoMarket
