340-million-euro loans to SMEs

The release of funds from the NSRF, which will be used to launch a new program for granting working capital loans from banks, will bring relief to Greek SMEs.

The program of the Development ministry provides for a change in the gearing ratio in order to increase the interest subsidy and facilitate the absorption of funds, as “Ta Nea” reports.

The rate will be at 1:1, which means that to the 170 million euros from the NSRF banks will contribute another 170 million, bringing the working capital loans to businesses through the new program at a total of 340 million euros.

Thus, the subsidy rate for these loans will stand at 50%, given that the portion of the loan financed by the NSRF is interest-free. It should be noted that until today it stood at 33%.

Meanwhile, officials are promoting the elimination of the signatures needed to administer funds of the Public Investment Program (60%), the merger of the evaluation phases of the competitions and the introduction of an obligatory fee payment for filing precautionary measures against the process of assigning public works.

One of Alexis Tsipras’ close associates said at the parliament café yesterday that "the party is now united and ready to govern." The main things it has to show as government too, are having transparent and open processes. When asked whether the concept of being "united" includes P. Lafazanis of the Left Current, he replied "of course, and when we become government, which will happen soon, Lafazanis will be assigned a powerful ministry."