New support measures for development of small and medium-sized enterprises in 2026–2027

The Government is strengthening support for the business environment by facilitating access to finance, increasing the competitiveness of SMEs, digitalizing public services, supporting exports and promoting women’s entrepreneurship, as well as improving the regulatory framework.

New measures in this regard are set out in the Action Plan for 2026–2027 for the implementation of the National Program for the promotion of entrepreneurship and the increase of competitiveness for 2023–2027, approved today by the government.

By 2027, the authorities aim to increase the number of employees in the SME sector by more than 17 thousand people, expand the use of electronic invoicing from 16% to 22%, increase the number of active enterprises, boost the contribution of SMEs to GDP, increase exports and provide more active support for women-led businesses.

At the same time, increasing access to finance is also being pursued. The outstanding volume of loans granted to the SME sector with the support of financial guarantees issued by the ODA is estimated at 4.5 billion lei by 2027, compared to 1.8 billion in 2024. By 2027, the volume of non-reimbursable funding granted for business start-ups through ODA instruments is expected to more than triple compared to 2024.

Support instruments for the internationalization of SMEs will also continue to be developed, and the participation of entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova in European programs will be expanded. An important element in this regard is the adjustment of the criteria for defining small and medium-sized enterprises in accordance with European Union standards. This measure will help companies in the Republic of Moldova to access more easily European programs, funds and other support mechanisms for business development.

The estimated cost for implementing the actions over the next two years is 4.26 billion lei. The updated program is aligned with the 2030 National Economic Development Strategy and with the National Program for the Accession of the Republic of Moldova to the EU for 2025–2029, contributing to preparing the economy for integration into the EU market.