European Union support for Moldovan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

This summary contains current initiatives and programmes, financed/co-financed by the European Union, to support SMEs in the Republic of Moldova, where 99% of all businesses are SMEs. A total of 80% of them are classified as micro-businesses, with less than 10 employees. Support for this vital element of Moldova’s economic activity has been a key priority for the EU.

Thus, in the last 15 years, the EU has supported about 17,000 SMEs in the Republic of Moldova, committing over €60 million for this purpose. Support materialised through access to loans and grants, which allowed them to invest in the modernisation and expansion of their activities, through guidance and advice on business practices, to improve final effectiveness and profitability.