Since the beginning of this years, Serbia has been given access to the financial funds from the EU’s Programme for Small and Medium Enterprises (COSME) – said today Economy Minister Željko Sertić. At the Programme’s official presentation, the Minister also said that this was also a symbolic beginning of the Year of Entrepreneurship which the Serbian government launched with the goal of boosting operations and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs.
„The COSME Programme perfectly fits the Serbian government’s initiative for supporting development of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurship considering that it will create additional opportunities for accessing funds“, Sertić added.
He outlined that the activities stipulated in the COSME Programme will be implemented in cooperation with domestic banks and with the support from the European Investment Fund, as well as facilititate participation in ongoing public calls for submission of projects which promote entrepreneurship, tourism, clusters, development of digital economy, creating a better environment for competitiveness and promoting entrepreneurial spirit.
According to the Minister, 60% of the COSME budget comprises of loans for SMEs, start-up loans for beginners, guarantees and investments in companies’ capital. Hence, it is really important for as many Serbian banks as possible to get on board with the programme and offer favourable loans for different stages – from company’s inception and expansion to its apperance on foreign markets.
„The Ministry gives its full support to the banks in this process and we would like to continue the open dialogue with the goal of introucing new lines of credit in Serbia”, said Minister Sertić.
(BETA, 08.03.2016)
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