Eight more programs to support entrepreneurship – 435 million dinars ready for the first six funding lines

The Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) launched the “Create Life” campaign on Friday (3. March 2016), which comprises eight support programs for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs.

At the 2017, grants will be awarded through co-financing: up to 70% for start-ups, up to 50% for existing companies, and up to 60% for organizations and institutions, it was announced at the campaign’s official launch.

– A total of 435 million dinars has been allocated for the first six programs, aimed at business start-ups, improving competitiveness, promoting economic development, innovation, entering foreign markets and promoting exports. These programs will be available to businesses starting Monday (6 March 2017). In addition, a mentoring program, for which around 20 million dinars has been earmarked, and a program to support businesses hiring new employees, implemented under the Serbian Government’s Regulation on Attracting Investment, will also be available within the next two weeks – said RAS Acting Director Željko Sertić.

Sertić added that the network of 16 regional development agencies would be very important for implementing the program throughout Serbia, as they will be available to businesses seeking more information.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy Milun Trivunac said the launch of the program was part of the state’s global development plan for vertical industrial policy. He also added that the state had provided funding for numerous programs, not only from the budget but also from international financial institutions such as the World Bank and Germany’s KfW Development Bank.

Source: eKapija.com