01.03.2021

ANOTHER BGN 300 MILLION HAVE BEEN AGREED UNDER THE PROCEDURES IN SUPPORT OF THE ENTERPRISES

Under the anti-crisis measures implemented only by the Ministry of Economy, over BGN 700 million, part of the anti-crisis package, have already reached Bulgarian enterprises and individuals. This was stated by the Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov at an online discussion on the topic: "Finance and markets for SMEs during and after the Covid-19 crisis".

Minister Borisov commented that the government's policy during the crisis was aimed at influencing all factors of economic growth - consumption, government spending, investment and measures to promote exports. "Our country has some of the most liberal measures towards business, as of today the restaurants are working. It is no coincidence that Bulgaria is already a member of the ERM II exchange rate mechanism and the banking union," he added.

Borisov pointed out that funds have been paid under the procedures for micro and small enterprises - over BGN 190 million to nearly 24,000 enterprises, for the transport sector, for SMEs in the tourism sector. Under the joint procedure with the National Revenue Agency, over BGN 52 million have reached the closed business, under which the payment of working capital will continue this month, as well as other funds from the budget of the Ministry of Economy related to the National Innovation Fund, ICT vouchers and Investment Promotion Act. "Only under the measures implemented through BDB, over BGN 340 million are already guaranteed loans under the two guarantee programs of the Bank for individuals and companies," he added. Borissov pointed out that an extension of the program is being prepared for individuals, and another BGN 100 million will be allocated for interest-free loans for employees on unpaid leave or those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, thus responding to the need to increase the funds under the program, given the continuing active demand for interest-free loans from commercial partner banks.

According to him, another BGN 300 million have been agreed under the procedures in support of medium-sized enterprises and for improving the production capacity of SMEs, under which administrative contracts are already being concluded and after reporting the full amount of the approved grant will be paid. on projects. "Under the procedure for medium-sized enterprises, we have provided an increase in the budget in order to be able to finance all 1,703 approved project proposals, incl. 418 pcs. reserve candidates from the reserve lists for over BGN 233 million. The Minister of Economy stressed that he continues and accepts project proposals under the procedure for working capital in support of small enterprises with a turnover of over BGN 500,000 under OP "Innovation and Competitiveness" with a budget of over BGN 78 million.