Reindustrialization of Romania: non-reimbursable funds of 100,000 euros for SMEs

By Andra Beltz
Micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized companies in Romania will be able to obtain non-reimbursable funds of almost 100,000 euros through the 2019 Microindustrialization program or about 50,000 euros through the Trade-Services program 2019. In addition, another financing program will be launched in 2020 – Scale-Up for accelerating companies with some experience.
“Microindustrialization and Trade will start as soon as possible, now we are in procurement for the computer application. At the end of October or at the beginning of November at the latest, the two programs must start, “said Adrian Panait, director of the SME Directorate of the Ministry for the Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
For the multiannual national program for microindustrialization, a budget of 22,678,000 lei is provided, commitment credits in 2019. This allocation allows the opening of a new call for projects in 2019.
Also, on the state budget for 2019, payment credits of 74 million lei are required, necessary to make payments to the winning companies of the last year. In the Microindustrialization Program 2018, a number of 247 companies have qualified within the available budget, to reimbursable funds of up to 450,000 lei each from the state budget. Most SMEs have requested the maximum amount of 450,000 lei or close.
The program of development of the commercialization services of the market services has a budget of 15.39 million lei, commitment credits, for a new call for projects in 2019. If the non-reimbursable aid of 250,000 lei is maintained, the budget per year 2019 would reach 61 companies, at the maximum value of the grant.
In the Trade Program 2018, a number of 209 private micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have qualified for non-reimbursable financing of up to 250,000 lei from the state. In total, over 1,000 companies have registered for the program this year.
Not all SMEs have requested the maximum amount. Also, the budget proposal for the year 2019 provides for another 15.39 million lei for the payment of the projects submitted last year.