The Government of Serbia adopted four programs of financial support of the Ministry of Economy for small and medium-sized enterprises

At yesterday's session, the Government of Serbia adopted four programs of financial support of the Ministry of Economy for small and medium-sized enterprises, for which two billion dinars have been allocated.Minister of Economy Anđelka Atanasković explains to Tanjug that this is a program for the purchase of equipment, encouragement of entrepreneurship through development projects, a support program for started businesses and a program for young and female entrepreneurs, for which the publication of public calls is expected at the beginning of February. According to her, the most money, namely 1.55 billion dinars, has been set aside for the purchase of equipment, of which the non-refundable part can make up 25 percent of the funds for this purpose, 70 percent is obtained from a bank or leasing company, and five percent of the funds are provided by the company itself.A public call for partner banks and leasing companies that provide co-financing in this program is expected in early February, after which it will be announced public call for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and cooperatives for grants.150 million dinars have been set aside for the program to help business beginners, and the Ministry of Economy co-finances with grants 30 and 40 percent of the total investment for economic subjects from underdeveloped local governments, while the rest is obtained from loans from the Development Fund. Minister Atanasković states that is provided for the program to encourage entrepreneurship through development projects 200 million dinars. for young people up to the age of 30, 100 million dinars have been allocated," the minister said.She explained that the program is a combination of 35, or 45 percent of grants, and a favorable loan from the Development Fund."Small and medium-sized enterprises make up almost 99 percent of the Serbian economy, and the Ministry, through these programs, which are very favorable in the current conditions, is trying to help companies," Atanasković said.The Ministry will help small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs, apart from financially and with a set of services includes free training, information, counseling and mentoring.