Slovenia earmarks EUR 660 million for liquidity in firms, green transition

The Government of Slovenia will support the recovery from the coronavirus impact with EUR 660 million for companies including EUR 248 million in grants. The scheme focuses on SMEs, liquidity, the green transition and digitalization.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology in Ljubljana unveiled a comprehensive incentives program for this year with grants and repayable funds, to help recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia. The priority is to provide liquidity for companies and help their green and digital transition to higher added value.

The total sum is EUR 660 million, of which EUR 248 million euros are grants. In addition to direct measures, companies will be able to obtain products through the program in cooperation with government agencies.

SMEs are particularly vulnerable, unemployment is growing

The ministry expressed concern with regard to the situation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in services. Growing unemployment is also worrying, the statement adds.

Companies can apply for products, vouchers, loan guarantees, interest rate subsidies, small loans and microloans

The Slovene Enterprise Fund, SEF, will provide loan guarantees of 60% to 80% for up to ten years together with interest rate subsidies and deferred payment for up to two years. The scheme is for working capital (salaries, material costs, service costs, inventory costs), investments in machinery and clean energy and entrepreneurship and crafts.

The fund is preparing loans of EUR 5,000 to EUR 50,000 for smaller investments and working capital and microloans, which are available through a simplified procedure. Various business services are eligible for vouchers worth up to EUR 9,999.

SEF unlocks other investments

SEF’s package for SMEs is worth EUR 210 million overall and intended for 5,200 firms. The ministry estimated it would stimulate investments of EUR 352 million in total.

Companies will get access to EUR 5 million from the Climate Fund in the first quarter for the green transition into a circular, low-carbon economy.