The entrepreneurs can apply for up to 600,000 lei in grant funding according to the 1+1 principle by pledging to make a contribution similar to the grant to improve export competiveness. The mechanism is implemented by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) and is financially supported by the World Bank Group, IPN reports.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Dumitru Alaiba, Minister of Economic Development and Digitization, the program launched today is designed to support the small and medium-sized enterprises to conquer new markets. The program will offer support to at least 200 companies. The conquering of new markets means prosperity for the whole country, highly-paying jobs at home and economic growth for the whole country.
The European market is not new for the Republic of Moldova. The fact that Moldova has exported products to the EU for a long period of time shows that its products are of a high quality, said World Bank Country Manager for Moldova Inguna Dobraja.
ODA director Dumitru Pîntea noted that the money obtained through this program can be used for equipment and also for software services, promotion activities and activities to obtain accreditation, certificates, etc. At the ODA, the entrepreneurs can find support regardless of the stage at which the business is now, since launch and growth up to internationalization. Those who need money for an investment project that is larger than what the grants program offers can combine the project with financial resources from a number of sources.
The World Bank provides US$5 million for this component, but comes with significant support for the capitalization of the loan guarantee fund so that the effort to raise loans from the banking sector is supported if the companies do not have sufficient security. Dumitru Pîntea urged all the entrepreneurs who want to export to visit www.oda.md, in the internationalization section, so as to see the exact eligibility conditions. Applications can be submitted online continuously.
Victor Nistorică, manager of a bakery, said the business he runs develops in an accelerated way. Over the last few years, the number of employees was raised from 15 to 50, while the range of products has been considerably diversified. What the bakery obtained is due also to state support programs. With business internationalization support, he purchased equipment and now supplies products also to Romania, to over 170 shops, their goods being appreciated by consumers.
