OREANDA-NEWS. March 18, 2013. The grants will be distributed as a result of a competition held to select small and medium-sized businesses to be backed by partner funds of the grant of the Japanese government. Under the 1 to 4 tranches of the grant provided y the government of Japan, support and development of SME of Moldova has been allotted to 12 million leis.

The program is aimed at creating favourable conditions for SME sector to develop businesses in regions of Moldova, especially in rural areas, as well as encouraging Moldovan export and creating import-replacing production. The grants will be given to purchase equipment facilities on the basis of leasing for a year without security and at the 0 interest rate.

The equipment facilities imported by contracts concluded till June, 30 will be imposed on the 0 VAT rate and exempted from customs duties (the customs value and the clearance fees). Applications for participation are accepted from March, 18 till April, 5, 2013.

Details are available on site of the Ministry of Economy and site of the respective grants management department www.jnpga.md.