SMEs continue to encounter difficulties in accessing loans

The obtaining of bank loans remains a problem for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), say businesspeople working in the field. “Many companies stopped work during the last year owing to financial difficulties. Other companies started to manufacture goods, but returned to the trade in imported products,” the head of the Ungheni Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Alexandru Craciun said in a roundtable meeting held as part of the SME Forum, Info-Prim Neo reports. The businessman said the banks' advertisements represent sheer magic. “A loan for developing the business cannot be taken out in three or five days as the banks say in their brochures. A large number of documents is needed to obtain a loan. The commission is 2.5-3%. Money is also spent to obtain the required confirmations,” Alexandru Craciun said. He also said that the banks should provide loans for a longer period, of up to 20 years for investment projects. “The banks should modify the conditions of certain loans granted to entrepreneurs so that they could overcome the crisis. They do not take steps to help the clients even if they say they earmarked 4 billion lei for loans,” the entrepreneur said. Lidia Hancu, manager of a Chisinau company, said the banking sector should be more flexible. “We worked with a bank for three years and paid interest on time. But the crisis struck and we started to face difficulties in repaying the last loan. The bank is not to blame. Maybe the Government can intervene by providing guarantees. We were told that the guarantee fund managed by the Organization for the Development of the SME Sector will be capitalized and there will be offered more guarantees. We are in a difficult situation, but we feel hopeful,” the businesswoman said. The tenth Forum of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises themed “Innovation. Modernization. Modern Management” is taking place at Moldexpo during May 26 – 29.