Modernization, energy efficiency program for SMEs launched in Chisinau

Chisinau, 9 Aug. /MOLDPRES/- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from support for business re-engineering and the implementation of energy efficiency measures, based on a program developed by the Ministry of Economy and launched today in an event at the Technical University of Moldova.

This program will help SMEs to increase their competitiveness and productivity by replacing outdated equipment with modern ones. Thus, the use of innovative and efficient technological solutions will help businesses become more competitive on the national and international market. The program also provides for the optimization of the production costs of enterprises, through the implementation of energy efficiency measures, including for renewable energy production equipment.

"The government is with all the projects that mean progress and growth. We support research, innovation, studies, science and we want any state investment to be auspicious for business, job creation, promotion of the Republic of Moldova and the country's economic potential," Prime Minister Natalia Gavriliţa said at the event.

Financial support for the achievement of the proposed objectives will be granted by the Ministry of Economy, through the Entrepreneurial Development Organization (ODA), in the form of non-refundable funding (grant) and will constitute 50% of the value of the investment project. At the same time, it will not exceed the amount of 2 million lei (about one hundred thousand euros) per beneficiary for re-technology actions, including: automation of the production process; robotization of production; modernization of existing technological lines; IT solutions for managing production lines; reuse with high-performance equipment.

Present at the event, Gintautas Baranauskas, representative of the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova, assured that the EU will support projects for the realization of modern technologies in our country, because it wants to see Moldova as a developed and performing state.

The grant for energy efficiency will constitute 50% of the cost of the eligible investment, but not more than 1.5 million lei for machinery, equipment and installations for the production of renewable energy, which will ensure the reduction of electricity consumption by at least 15% compared to of existing consumption. These installations include solar panels with a heating system; photovoltaic panels for the production of electricity; mini wind installations for the production of electricity; machinery and technological equipment for the production of biogas; machinery and installations for thermal heating. ODA will also provide informational support to small and medium-sized enterprises, business incubators, institutions and business support organizations.