VMRO – DPMNE in previous mandates has shown that knows what is necessary for economic growth even in the serious world crisis and European debt crisis, when challenges further place obstacles on the process of creating new jobs, said Vladimir Peshevski from VMRO – DPMNE at the press conference.
Below follows the integral text from the press conference of Vladimir Peshevski.
What we imposed as standard was constant commitment to developing and supporting the private sector through:
- Low cost for companies work;
- Further improvement of business – climate;
- Further construction of economic infrastructure – roads, railways, energy;
- As well as support for raising the innovative capacity of companies.
With the new program, VMRO-DPMNE will continue to gives strong support to domestic companies in the form of subsidized loans, low taxes with zero rate of tax on reinvested or retained earnings, as well as significantly improving the business climate and conditions running business.
Projects that are included in the program and that we hope will represent a significant support for companies we mention:
- CREDIT LINE FOR SUPPORT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM COMPANIES
Through MBPR or EIB, we provided extremely favorable credit lines amounting to 100 million euro with subsidized interest of 5.5 % (the lowest in the country) that during 2014 and in the next period will be available and at the disposal of small and medium enterprises. Purely to remind you so far over 800 companies used the funds from this credit line and several thousand jobs have been created through this credit line.
- FUND FOR INNOVATION
Innovation Fund, which is historic step in the Republic of Macedonia for support of the innovation and the main task is to raise the innovative capacity of Macedonian companies and their commercial aspect.
Therefore, Innovation Fund will have 4 financial instruments that will awarded cash to Macedonian companies including:
- Grants for start-up, spin -off companies and innovations up to maximum of 30,000 euro. This instrument is designed for start-ups, micro, and small enterprises in order to encourage and implement innovative solutions and support to companies that have high growth potential, as well as presenting the results of scientific research in the application, or commercial activities by creating spin -off companies.
- Conditional grants and loans for commercialization of innovation up to maximum of 100,000 euro. This instrument is intended for financing small and medium enterprises in order to realize and implement innovative solutions, innovative processes and introducing innovation in companies, and support the companies that have high growth potential.
- Grants for technology transfer up to maximum of 200,000 euro. This instrument is designed to introduce advanced technologies and innovative in major Macedonian companies.
- Support for establishing accelerators up to maximum of 500,000 euro. These companies help small companies or people innovators to commercialize their innovations.
- The Fund will disburse funds and technical assistance to companies up to maximum of 5,000 euro.
- TOP MANAGEMENT
Continues implementation of the “Top Management”, project through which provides theoretical training in the Republic of Macedonia and practical training in companies in developed foreign countries to the managers from the Macedonian export-oriented companies.
During 2014 and 2015, about 160 managers who completed the theoretical training will attend practical training in highly developed European countries.
- FOREIGN EXPERTS FOR MACEDONIAN COMPANIES
We will continue the governmental project on capacity building and knowledge (know-how) of domestic companies, i.e. we will continue the training with skilled foreign experts in accordance with the interests and needs of companies.
Thus, we expect to improve competitiveness, efficiency, and standards in the operation of domestic companies, as well as access to new markets.
- COOPERATION OF DOMESTIC COMPANIES WITH FOREIGN INVESTORS
What we have announced for companies that should be located in free economic zones, how to increase cooperation with domestic companies, we have provided several activities:
- We will facilitate the process of obtaining certification, the quality of products produced by domestic firms would be even higher.
- Will be reviewed procedures for delivering goods and services in free economic zones.
- We will continue with the organization of direct business meetings between foreign and domestic firms in order to achieve further business cooperation.
- Through MBPR will be provided favorable financing for purchasing equipment and machinery with which domestic companies can modernize their own production and can achieve the required standards for cooperation with foreign investors.
We strongly believe that the envisaged projects will considerably help the domestic economy, because the purpose of the VMRO – DPMNE, is to create modern economy that will be opponent at the European and global markets, which will mean new jobs and better living standards.