Public call for small businesses to receive support for equipment purchases

The Ministry of Economy today announced a public call for small and micro enterprises, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives to receive non-repayable assistance through the Programme to Support Small Businesses in Purchasing Equipment.

Through this Program, which combines favorable bank loans with government grants, the Ministry of Economy co-finances the purchase of production equipment, covering 25 percent of the equipment’s value. The remaining 70 percent of the purchase costs are financed by loans from banks partnering in the Program, while the entrepreneur contributes five percent.

The funds may be used to purchase new or used (no more than five years old) production machinery and equipment, as well as new parts and specialized tools for machinery and equipment. The approved non-refundable grant, amounting to up to 25 percent of the equipment’s value, may not exceed 2.500.000 dinars.

Businesses interested in taking part in the Program should submit an application for a grant together with their loan application to one of the banks or leasing companies partnered in the Program.

The banks partnering with the Ministry in implementing the Programme are CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK SERBIA, ERSTE BANK, UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA and BANCA INTESA, and this year two leasing companies, INTESA LEASING and UNICREDIT LEASING SERBIA, have also joined as partners.

For participants in this Program, they have offered special, more favorable loan terms, which do not have to be secured by a mortgage on real estate, but primarily by a lien on the equipment being purchased.

The Ministry of Economy is implementing this Programme to increase the competitiveness of businesses, improve their operations, and create new jobs. A total of 542.000.000 dinars in non-repayable funding has been allocated for this programme.

The public call is open until the available funds have been used up.