OREANDA-NEWS. January 20, 2010. Small and medium enterprises in Moldova can receive assistance in the amount from 500 thousand up to 2,5 million leis for acquisition of equipment in leasing under 0%.

As it was informed in the Ministry of Economy of Moldova, the assistance will be provided under the Program of Support and Development of SME sector, which is being implemented by the ministry to promote economic structural changes and funded from the Partnership Fund III tranche of the Japanese grant.

As a part of the named program, SMEs in Moldova will be able to cover expenses of 40% of the total cost of the purchased equipment. The rest of the cost will be paid by the economic agents. It is proposed to purchase a wide range of the industrial equipment, which is available to lease for one year (pledge-free) under 0%. When purchasing the appropriate equipment, a zero VAT rate will be applied as well as preferences during customs procedures will be provided.

According to the Ministry of Economy, from 2005, on the basis of intergovernmental agreements the Government of Japan has provided Moldova with a Non-Project Grant Aid totaling 1,300 million yen (about US11.9 million), which is allocated in four tranches to support the efforts of economic structural changes.

To date, within the Program (I-IV tranches) and the Partnership Funds (I and II tranches) the assistance was received by 95 Moldovan economic agents. As of late 2009, total amount of grant provided under this program amounted to 38 million leis (about US 3,4 million). Applications for participation in this program must provide acquisition of equipment for the amount not less than 500 thousand leis and not more than 2,5 million leis. Relevant documents can be sent to the Ministry of Economy from January 25 till February 26, 2010.