Vučeljić: Non-refundable financial resources for SMEs are possible in the short term with certain conditions

The Regional Agency for Development and European Integration of the City of Belgrade (RAREI) in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce organized the promotion of the project "Support to the development of SMEs in Serbia", where they presented in detail the steps required to obtain non-reimbursable financial assistance from the EBRD to improve the operations of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the territory of Belgrade. 10,000 to 40,000 euros, with participation in costs 0-50% are that the organization has existed for a minimum of two years, that the ownership structure is domestic, i.e. Serbian and private, that the organization is solvent and liquid, that the debt structure is acceptable depending on the size of the company, location and type of service, then that the management of the company must have an enviable reputation and commitment to achieving the goals of the project - explains Vučeljić, director of RAREI.

With an impressive number of present representatives of SMEs and entrepreneurs from the territory of the city of Belgrade, EBRD representatives held a presentation of this project through examples of good practice and developed a very useful debate. Funds can be used to provide advisory services in the following areas: strategies, marketing plan, organization and processes, IST, engineering solutions, quality management, financial management and energy efficiency and environmental protection.

- These grants cover all sectors of the company's activity, except for banks and other financial institutions, the military industry, games of chance, the tobacco industry and alcohol. I also want to add that part of the participation for the co-financing of the project can be provided by companies both from their own funds and through incentives provided by the city of Belgrade, depending on the type of project, conditions or the type of activity of the company - says Vučeljić.

In this way, cooperation between SMEs and entrepreneurs on the one hand and the city of Belgrade and the EBRD on the other can lead to the strengthening of the entrepreneurship sector, increasing employment and thus economic growth in Belgrade, Vučeljić concludes.