A new plan for implementing the strategy for developing the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises for 2018-2020 was agreed by the Cabinet on April 25. The document provides that 2,500 entrepreneurs, 200 of whom migrants or relatives of the first degree of these, will be trained to develop their entrepreneurial skills, IPN reports.

“It is an important project because, statistically speaking, the SMEs in Moldova represent 98.7% of all the enterprises and these provide jobs for more than 61% of the employees in our country,” stated Prime Minister Pavel Filip.

Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kiril Gaburici said this is the third plan of action for implementing the strategy. This includes measures to improve the framework for regulating the activity of SMEs, to widen access to financing, to establish new partnerships between enterprises and to facilitate their development in rural areas.

The Government will also support women in business. Each year, 100 new businesses started by women will be funded with small grants, while another ten businesses with export potential – with grants for large investments. The measures will enable to create 20 jobs annually.

The entrepreneurs will benefit from financial guarantees for starting and developing businesses. This year, the SMEs will have access to 197 financial guarantees. Also, content about “green economy” will be included in the education program of lyceums.