In 2023, through the entrepreneurial support programs managed by the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODE), the Government financially supported about 3,000 companies in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector and about 3,500 patent holders, allocating about 1.32 billion lei in the form of grants, financial guarantees, interest compensation on investment loans, compensation of transition expenses to self-employment, subsidies for participation in exhibitions, support infrastructure and compensation of costs of dual education units. This has contributed to attracting a 2.21 billion lei investment in the economy.
Thus, out of the total number of enterprises supported, 596 companies have accessed non-reimbursable funding totaling about 271 million lei, and have maintained about 10,000 jobs and created 2,377 others.
Financial guarantees worth about 481.6 million lei were provided for 455 businesses. The new guarantees facilitated access to loans worth 1.13 billion lei for these companies and contributed to attracting investments in the economy worth 1.48 billion lei.
The 373 Government Programme was launched, which in the first six months supported 176 companies to take out cheaper loans, the total value of investment projects being 753 million lei. Thanks to the program, 200 new jobs have been created in the beneficiary companies, and another 283 will be created shortly, according to the investment projects.
A further 285 start-ups have also benefited from the support infrastructure of the 11 Business Incubators.
At the same time, 1,347 entrepreneurs received partial compensation for interest on investment loans taken out until 1 August 2022, the total amount being 14.13 million lei.
At the same time, the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship has been present in all regions of the country, providing free information about entrepreneurial support programs and tools, individual advice, and free training in entrepreneurial skills development. In total, 116 information sessions were organized, more than 14,500 people were consulted individually, and about 3,000 were trained.
281 companies received partial reimbursement of expenses for participation in fairs and exhibitions for a total amount of 1.34 million lei.
For the first time, 26 dual education establishments received in 2023 compensation of 3.51 million lei from the state for expenses incurred for the organization and implementation of professional training programs for students.
With the entry into force of the patent reform, the ODE received and approved 3,552 applications, the amount of compensation allocated being 25.62 million lei. About 95% of former patentees have moved to self-employment, sole proprietorships, and limited liability companies.
The Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODE) says that in 2024, with the support of the Government and external development partners, new programs will be launched to support women’s economic empowerment (Women’s Entrepreneurship) and small businesses (Small Producers).