Public invitation for the participation of commercial banks and leasing companies in the implementation of the Small Business Support Program for the purchase of equipment in 2024

The Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with the Development Agency of the Republic of Serbia, awards grants to micro and small businesses, entrepreneurs and cooperatives for the purchase of production equipment/construction machinery/machines and equipment for the improvement of energy efficiency and ecological aspects of production with the aim of facilitating the financing of the purchase of equipment and strengthening their competitiveness.

The Ministry of Economy hereby invites all interested banks and leasing companies to apply for participation in the implementation program.

The total funds provided for the implementation of this program from the budget of the Republic of Serbia amount to 800,000,000.00 dinars. Business entities can exercise the right to grant grants in the amount of up to 50% of the net value of the purchase of production equipment. The amount of approved grant cannot be less than RSD 500,000.00, nor more than RSD 5,000,000.00. The minimum own funds of the company submitting the request amount to 5% of the total net value of the equipment to be purchased, while the rest will be secured from a loan from a commercial bank or a financial lease from a leasing company.

All interested commercial banks and leasing companies that meet the legally established conditions for carrying out activities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia have the right to participate. Banks and leasing companies must meet the following conditions:

1. that they submitted complete and correct competition documentation in a timely manner;

2. that the conditions offered are in accordance with the Program;

3. that the indicator of capital adequacy for banks, that is, the financial part of capital for leasing companies, is in accordance with the acts of the NBS;

4. that the bank or the leasing company achieved a positive financial result with the balance as of 12/31/2023. year;

5. that the NBS did not issue a measure to the leasing company in accordance with the Decision on the detailed conditions and methods of supervision over the performance of the lessor's activities ("Official Gazette of the RS", no. 85/11), i.e. to the bank in accordance with the Decision on the detailed conditions and methods of bank control and special audit of the bank ("Official Gazette of the RS", no. 30/15 and 1/20). Interested banks and leasing companies submit the original or certified photocopies of the following documents:

• completed Annex 1 (form available on the ministry's website);
• form with the signature of the person authorized to represent, who signed Annex 1 (OP form)

Applications are submitted in a sealed envelope marked "Application for the Public Call for Commercial Banks and Leasing Companies in the Implementation of the Support Program for Small Businesses to Purchase Equipment in In 2024 - NO OPEN" with the sender's full address on the back of the envelope. Untimely and incomplete applications will not be considered.

The application is submitted in person or by registered mail to the address:

Ministry of Economy

Sector for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship

Kneza Miloša 20

11 000 Belgrade

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS JULY 18, 2024.

The binding conditions, for all banks and leasing companies interested in participating in the Public Call, as well as the criteria for the selection of banks/leasing companies, are precisely defined in the Support Program for Small Businesses for the Procurement of Equipment in 2024.

Text of this program with supporting documentation for participation in the Public Invitation can be downloaded on the Internet pages:

Ministry of Economy: www.privreda.gov.rs

Development agencies of Serbia: www.ras.gov.rs

Entrepreneurship portal: www.preduzetnistvo.gov.rs