Moldovan small businesses supported financially

The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from financial support of 500,000 lei to 2.5 million lei as part of the Economy Ministry's program for supporting and developing the SME sector and promoting structural economic adjustments. The program is financed with money from the Partner Fund of the Japanese Grant, the third tranche, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the press service of the Ministry. The program is designed to help the SMEs purchase various production equipment in leasing during a year, without pledge. The leasing interest is zero. The beneficiaries will pay no value added tax on the bought equipment and will enjoy advantages when performing the customs procedures. Since 2005, the Government of Japan has provided four tranches of a grant of about US$11.9 million for supporting the efforts aimed at structural economic adjustments (Japanese Non Project Grant Aid). Ninety-five beneficiaries of the program received about US$3.4 million of the grant so far. The applicants can receive 500,000 lei to 2.5 million lei in support to purchase equipment. The deadline for applications is February 26, 210, from January 25, 2010. The set of necessary documents must be submitted to the Economy Ministry of Moldova.