News/Press

Belarus plans to expand SME sector
Belarus plans to expand SME sector
Belarus
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27/10/2016
State programme to increase jobs in SME sector to over 41% of country’s total workforce by 2020 The Belarus Government implemented Decree No. 870 on 25 October, introducing amendments to the 2016-2020 state programme for SMEs, approved by the Decision No. 149 of the Belarus Council of Ministers of 23 February 2016. This is aimed at increasing the share of Gross Domestic Product generated by Small...
The bilateral assistance package underpins the forthcoming negotiations of a new bilateral agreement.
EU announces €13.5 million assistance package to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
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21/10/2016
The European Union (EU) announced a new assistance package to Azerbaijan. The € 13.5 million will help diversify Azerbaijan’s economy by providing assistance in the areas of finance, economics and judicial governance. The €13.5 million bilateral assistance package will go towards: enhancing the competitiveness of Azerbaijan’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). promoting new export...
Belarusian government approves conditions for SME guarantee funds
Belarus
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21/10/2016
The Belarusian Ministry of Economy has approved the operational conditions for the distribution of funds that will provide lenders a guarantee for credits given to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The proposed operational conditions will provide tax exempt status to all funds designated as a loan security for SMEs. The purpose of the proposal is to protect non-profit organisations,...
A ministerial meeting on the Digital Community was held this week in Brussels.
EU and Georgia work to build digital community
Georgia
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20/10/2016
Georgia and the European Union (EU) are collaborating on a range of digital issues aimed at generating economic growth, creating new jobs, improving people’s daily lives and building a better environment for doing business in. To advance the Digital Community between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries, ministers from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine recently met...
Improving the business climate
Improving the business climate
Armenia
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20/10/2016
The European Union (EU) is ready to assist Armenia in implementing economic policy reforms, says ambassador The EU will assist Armenia in implementing the new government’s economic policy reforms, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, told the International Economic Congress on 20 October. Experts and representatives of diplomatic missions gathered at...
Makaryan proposes the establishment of a special fund of USD 100 million for SMEs.
Republican Union of Employers pushes for new SME fund
Armenia
 | 
19/10/2016
The head of the Republican Union of Employers is advocating that the Armenian government establish as special fund to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) develop. According to economist and head of the Republican Union of Employers Gagik Makaryan, Armenian SMEs are not growing fast enough. SMEs account for 28 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and over the past several...
EBRD implements 245 SME consultancy projects
EBRD implements 245 SME consultancy projects
Belarus
 | 
19/10/2016
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it has implemented 245 projects in Belarus that provide consultancy services to SMEs In the framework of its SME consultancy programme in Belarus, the EBRD not only provides full administrative support, but also covers up to 90% of the cost of consultancy services, thanks to donor funding from the EU and other institutions. Working...
The project helps Moldovan SMEs access new markets and build a stronger economy.
Moldovan SMEs set to benefit from €1 million in funding
Moldova
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13/10/2016
The export potential of s mall and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Moldova is set to benefit from a € 1 million boost in funding from the European Union (EU). Helping SMEs access new markets According to the Moldovan organisation responsible for attracting foreign investment and promoting exports (MIEPO), the country’s SMEs are set to benefit from €1 million in EU funding. The funding is...
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman says the proposed amendments will simplify life for new businesses.
Prime Minister Groysman announces small business tax holidays
Ukraine
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04/10/2016
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman recently announced new tax holidays intended to simplify life for small businesses and eliminate barriers to growth. According to Prime Minister Volodymyr’s Facebook Page, Ukrainian small businesses and entrepreneurs will soon benefit from a more business-friendly tax code. The proposed amendments to the tax code aim to simplify life for new businesses and...