Are you a budding businessman? You are probably aware that our country has a program to support small and medium-sized businesses. And if not, then look for details in our article.

Types of support for small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus:

• subsidy for starting a business in the Republic of Belarus from the employment center;
• preferential loan for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus;
• subsidy for job creation from the State Social Protection Fund;
• grant for business development from the innovation fund of the regional executive committee;
• obtaining free land in rural areas for farming.

The priority of the state program is the development of agricultural business and business related to innovation, export, import substitution, energy and resource conservation.

State support for small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus

We will divide all sources of government funds for business development into gratuitous ones and those that need to be returned.

gratuitous help

Subsidy for starting a business

The subsidy is issued by the State Employment Service, provided that you are officially unemployed. You can count on these funds if you open an individual entrepreneur, intend to provide services in the field of agroecotourism, or organize a craft workshop.

What can you spend the subsidy on? For the purchase of equipment, machinery, tools, raw materials, materials. You can use these funds to pay for services and cover any expenses associated with running your business.

3676 rub. 40 kopecks(or 20 “living wages”) - if you build a business on the implementation of scientific research and development.

2757 rub. 30 kopecks(or 15 “living wages”) - if you are a member of the labor exchange in an area with a poor labor market.

2757 rub. 30 kopecks(or 11 “living wages”) - if you do not fall into the categories listed above.

How to get a subsidy to start a business?

• contact the employment department at your place of residence;
• write an application for a subsidy;
• attach a business plan - justification for the effectiveness of your business.

Within three days you will receive a response from the employment service.

Important! If you have already received a subsidy or closed another business less than a year ago, then do not count on a subsidy.

Your obligations after receiving the subsidy:

• you must conduct business for at least 6 months in the first year after registration. If the condition is not met, you must return the money to the state;
• you must report the money spent within 3 months after registering the business. If you do not give a report or spend the money on something other than business, you will return the entire subsidy and pay a fine.

Grants for the development of small and medium-sized businesses from the innovation fund of the regional executive committee

If you want to organize an unusual, and most importantly well-founded business, you can count on a grant. To receive this sponsorship, you need to win a competition for applicants. Priority is given to projects related to innovation, science, development and production of equipment, and production of products for export.

How to get a grant for business development?

1. Create a business plan. Indicate the purpose and amount of the grant there.
2. Provide the regional executive committee with a business plan along with a certificate of state registration, constituent documents and a certificate of inclusion in the register of business entities.
3. Write an application for funds from the innovation fund.

Important! The money from the grant is not yours personally. They are issued to the company under your personal responsibility.

Allocation of land for farming

Being a farmer in the Republic of Belarus is profitable. In this case, you receive tax benefits (do not pay VAT) and can count on free lifetime lease of up to 100 hectares of land in rural areas. Moreover, you can inherit the plot, but not exchange or sell it.

How to get a plot to open a farm?

Go to the village council/collective farm and find out the location of the free land. Agree with local authorities/organizations on the possibility of renting land for farming. You will receive an answer within two weeks. But this is only the initial approval.

Official approval:

• submit an application to the local executive committee;
• attach a business plan and the decision of the village council/collective farm;
• expect a response within a month.

If you live in a given area and have experience in agricultural work, then you have a better chance of receiving land for free lease.

Funds that must be returned

Subsidy for job creation

Are you ready to hire people registered with the employment service? Then you have the right to an interest-free loan for up to 3 years to create new jobs, regardless of the form of management of your business.

What you have the right to spend funds on:

• to improve production, purchase and set up equipment;
• for the purchase of raw materials and materials;
• for any other purposes related to the creation of new jobs.

Before you apply for a loan, create a business plan.

Preferential loan for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus

The regulation on state support for small businesses in the Republic of Belarus is stated in Decree No. 255 of May 21, 2009 “On some measures of state support for small businesses.” According to the regulations, you can count on lending at a preferential interest rate - 50% of the refinancing rate at the time of loan provision + no more than 3%. In this case, the bank does not charge you any additional commissions or payments.

You can count on a soft loan for business development if:

• open, develop and expand the production of goods, works or services;
• organize or develop the production of innovative import-substituting products or goods for export;
• are engaged in the production of products related to energy or resource conservation;
• introduce new technologies.

Conditions for preferential lending:

• you should not have any debts to the state;
• your business should not be unprofitable;
• your business must not be reorganized, liquidated, or declared bankrupt at the time you apply for the loan.

The package of documents for obtaining such a loan may differ from bank to bank. But any bank will require a business plan from you. To get a loan, you do not have to be serviced by a lender. The maximum term of preferential lending is 5 years.

As you can see, the state program to support small and medium-sized businesses in the Republic of Belarus is working. We hope that our article will help you find funds for business development.

Belarusbank has developed a special program of financial support for small and medium-sized businesses. We provide credit resources at an affordable cost, with transparent and understandable requirements for borrowers.

SMEs include

• Individual entrepreneurs registered in the Republic of Belarus
• micro-organizations registered in the Republic of Belarus, commercial organizations with an average number of employees per calendar year of up to 15 people inclusive
• small organizations registered in the Republic of Belarus, commercial organizations with an average number of employees per calendar year from 16 to 100 people inclusive
• medium-sized businesses registered in the Republic of Belarus, commercial organizations with an average number of employees per calendar year from 101 to 250 people inclusive.

Benefits of the program:

A wide range of loans for various fields of activity and lending purposes
- rate from 4.5% (no commissions)
- loan term up to 7 years
- it is possible to get a deferment on repayment of the principal debt
- various ways to ensure fulfillment of obligations

Loans for investment purposes

- amount up to 2.5 million BYN/up to 14 million USD/up to 12.5 million EUR
- rates from 4.5%
- loan term up to 7 years
- loan term up to 7 years

Micro-Business Invest

Target: purchase of fixed assets, payment of construction costs through equity participation.
Sum: up to 15,000 basic units.
Currency: Belorussian rubles.
Bid: from 8.5%.
Term: up to 5 years.
Issue:
Postponement: allowed.
Security:

Micro-Business Invest Plus

Target: purchase, reconstruction, modernization, construction, overhaul of fixed assets, payment of costs for shared construction of facilities, acquisition of a franchise.
Sum: up to 15,000 basic units.
Currency: Belorussian rubles.
Bid: from 8.0%, for SMEs in satellite cities - 5.0%
Term: up to 5 years.
Issue: to third party accounts, to accounts for letters of credit.
Postponement: allowed.
Security: pledge of the purchased property, for ½ of the amount - a guarantee from an individual.

Micro Business Innovation

Target: creation of non-current assets, payment of intangible assets, increase in working capital within the framework of an investment project.
Sum: up to 15,000 basic units.
Currency: Belorussian rubles.
Bid: from 4.5%.
Term: up to 7 years.
Issue: to third party accounts, to accounts for letters of credit.
Postponement: allowed.
Security: pledge of purchased property, guarantee of an individual.

SME-Invest

Target: creation of non-current assets, including intangible ones, refinancing of debt in other banks.
Sum: up to 2.5 million rubles/up to 14.1 million US dollars/up to 12.5 million euros.
Currency:
Bid: Belarusian rubles - from 8.5%, US dollars, euros - 6-7%.
Term: up to 7 years.
Issue: to third party accounts, to accounts for letters of credit.
Postponement: allowed.
Security: any liquid collateral.

These types of loans (with the exception of Micro-Business Invest) are issued to SMEs subject to the development by ASB Consult of a feasibility study (business plan) of the investment project proposed for lending.

Loans for current activities

- amount not more than 15,000 basic units
- lending currency BYN/USD/EUR
- rates from 6.0%
- loan term up to 3 years

Micro-Business Start

Target:
Sum: up to 1000 basic units.
Currency: Belorussian rubles.
Bid: from 8.0%.
Term: up to 3 years.
Issue: to third party accounts, to accounts for letters of credit.
Postponement: allowed.
Security: guarantee of an individual.

Micro-Business Turnover
(including for SMEs, registered and
operating in satellite cities)

Target: in current activities (except for salary payments), debt refinancing.
Sum: three average monthly volumes of net receipts to accounts in all banks (calculated over 6 months), not more than 15,000 basic units.
Currency: Belarusian rubles, US dollars, euros.
Bid: in Belarusian - from 8.0%, for SMEs in satellite cities - 6.0% US dollars, euros - 6-7%.
Term: up to 3 years.
Issue: to third party accounts, to accounts for letters of credit.
Postponement: absent.
Security: guarantee of an individual.

Micro-Business Overdraft

Target: without defining the intended use.
Sum: the average monthly volume of receipts to accounts with the Bank (calculated for 3 months or 12 months for enterprises with a seasonal nature of activity), no more than 15,000 basic units.
Currency: Belorussian rubles.
Bid: 10,0%.
Term: up to 3 years.
Issue: to third party accounts.
Postponement: absent.
Security: guarantee of an individual.

Please note that within the framework of the loan products “Micro-Business Start” and “Micro-Business Turnover”, lending to SMEs for purposes related to wholesale trade is not provided.

Yuri Zaitsev is responsible for servicing small businesses and individual entrepreneurs at Moscow-Minsk Bank. Its employees provide banking services to several thousand businessmen throughout Belarus.

I have been involved in business lending for thirteen years. During this time, I saw many examples when the most seemingly wonderful and one hundred percent projects for which loans were issued failed. Companies and human destinies collapsed, banks were forced to initiate complex and unpleasant debt repayment processes for all participants. Who is guilty? A businessman who did not take into account all the risks, did not take off his rose-colored glasses and wishful thinking? A bank that incorrectly assessed the potential and capabilities of the borrower and drove him into a debt hole?

Here are two examples of how a loan for business development dragged this very business to the very bottom.

One of the bank's clients decided to start manufacturing doors and parquet from valuable types of wood - oak and ash. Everything was going well, the number of orders was growing, almost all products were supplied to the vast Russian market. Naturally, the owner decided to expand production - things are going well! He rented a larger space, hired more people, and bought new equipment. And for this I took out a loan for $100,000. At first everything was fine, the business generated income that more than covered payments to the bank. Russian buyers regularly paid in their national currency. And then there was a sharp devaluation of the Russian ruble, and the business collapsed. Now the bank is selling the client’s property, against which the loan was issued.

Or another almost textbook example. A couple of years ago, many businessmen, taking advantage of the preferential regime, actively imported “couples” - truck tractors with trailers - without paying customs duties. Moreover, even those who did not understand it at all rushed into the cargo transportation business. At the bank where I worked, there was one client who already had one successful business in the wholesale trade of building materials. The valuation of his assets made it possible to obtain a large loan for the development of a new direction, and the income from it easily covered future loan payments. And so he bought himself four trucks.

The harsh reality instantly materialized in the form of competition, the specifics of business, and the lack of necessary connections. But even this did not turn out to be the main problem, but the difficulty, unfamiliar to a novice carrier, of obtaining “permits” - permits to travel through the territory of foreign states. Without them, highly profitable orders cannot be obtained. We had to often send cars on flights to long-distance and not the most profitable destinations: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. Freight turnover is slow, the roads are bad, fraught with eternal costs for repairing tractors. It turned out that at the end of the year, all the profits from the main business of selling construction materials were “eaten up” by payments on loans for trucks. The businessman has paid off the bank, but the machines are still not being used to their full potential and are not bringing in any profit.

Hundreds of business projects a year pass through our hands. And we see one big common problem. Many businessmen do not fully understand what they actually need to do with borrowed money. When and what should they be used for, and when is it better to rely on your own strengths?

The key point for developing a new business is an objective assessment of project costs. Someone is trying to act based on intuition, based on the principle that the main thing is to “persuade” the bank for a loan, and how exactly to use it then is a matter of technique. This usually ends badly. First of all, you need to show yourself with numbers that the project is worth getting involved in. And then go to the bank and ask for money.

Often, when considering applications for business loans, we see that entrepreneurs do not have an adequate cash flow forecast. Many simply do not know how to draw up cashflow, do not take into account work with debtors, real, and not accounting, income and expenditure of money, and cannot plan work without cash gaps. Without this, developing a new business, and even with the participation of borrowed funds, is truly a suicidal activity. Having received a lot of money in their hands, they completely unexpectedly encounter a reality that is categorically different from their business fantasies.

A little bit of internal banking cuisine. When we start working with a company to approve a loan, we first meet with the owners and top managers. Often in the process of communication it turns out that they do not fully have information about the true state of affairs in their business. For us, this is an alarming stopping factor. If the first person does not have a clear picture of the business and an action plan for a new direction, how can you give the bank’s money to such a company?

Bankers, having extensive experience in dealing with businessmen, often see attempts to embellish the situation. The client really needs a loan, and he strives to convince the loan officer that everything is fine with his company, to show all the advantages and, if possible, to avoid the problem areas in his work. So we listen carefully to what the client says, but we look at what is really there. So that later the client and the bank don’t have a headache, what to do with the problem debt.

An illustrative story happened with one quite successful concert organizer. He decided to organize a show of a famous musician. To pay for the rent of a concert venue and advertising the upcoming show, our client turned to the bank for a loan. The economic effect of the concert was calculated, the loan would be repaid easily, and even a good profit would be made. In addition, the current affairs of the client’s company were going uphill. We gave him a loan in the amount of $60,000, which was spent, among other things, on renting the site. To obtain it, the client provided the bank with his own commercial real estate as collateral. Suddenly the star experienced force majeure. She canceled the concert. The loan was issued for a short period of time and had to be repaid quickly. Now the bank, together with the client, is looking for a buyer for the mortgaged building. The businessman was left without money and without real estate.

Against this background, statements about draconian interest rates on loans sound like attempts to shift the emphasis from a real problem to an imaginary one. Rates in this sense will be high only because the risks of non-repayment for the bank are high. He insures himself, because he entrusts his own money to an entrepreneur who may not fully understand all the difficulties of a new business.

In general, the weak side of small business in our country is the lack of fresh ideas. Or rather, the lack of fresh ideas, supported by real steps. They say that today Belarus is a country of startups. So, it is important for you to understand that for bankers, a startup is not a bearded Munchausen, drinking a smoothie and telling tales about mountains of gold that will flow into the pockets of investors when he brings his genius to life, but a practitioner who has already created a working prototype.

Yes, it may seem paradoxical to some, but banks tend to give money rather to those who have already found at least small investments and implemented their project, at least partially, on their own. Because this is a sure sign that the startuper is involved in the process, is passionate about it, and lives in its perspective. This means that the bank will not have to shake out the dreamer’s debts afterwards.

And here's a thought for you to think about. If a bank that is interested in you using its money and paying interest does not give you a loan, it’s time to look at your project critically, from the outside. Maybe "greedy bankers" saved you from a huge mistake?

It turns out that the bank would be happy to issue a loan, especially if you have a cool idea. Add to it a good business plan, or even better, come to the bank with already rented premises, a minimum amount of fixed assets, be it machines, computers or hair clippers. And then the idea of ​​a loan for a new business will not look suicidal.

Lack of own funds to open a business and further entrepreneurial activity can significantly affect the further advancement of your own business. A business loan in such cases can be the best way out of the situation, especially if the entrepreneur’s business idea is confirmed by accurate calculations and is ready for implementation.

What is a business loan?

There are situations in business in which timely receipts have a decisive influence on the successful development of a business entity in all subsequent years.

It is especially important to take out a business loan when you expect:

1. expansion of the enterprise;
2. opening new branches, shopping centers or stores;
3. organization of new production facilities, transition to new types of products, etc.

For individual entrepreneurs, of no less interest is a loan for a business from scratch in Belarus, which is necessary for the successful start of your own business. A common way for many people to get a loan for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs is to contact a banking institution.

Although interest rates for this category of borrowers are higher, and the package of documents is more voluminous. But how can you get a loan for an individual entrepreneur or small business if the bank is in no hurry to make a decision?

Why is it beneficial to use the services of a credit broker to obtain business loans?

An experienced person will help you get a business loan quickly and on favorable terms, through a loan from an individual to a legal entity. As a participant in the financial market, a credit broker assumes the functions of an intermediary between the lender and the borrower.

Having complete information about the conditions for obtaining a loan for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs, the broker will help you obtain a profitable loan for a legal entity in the Republic of Belarus secured by real estate. This is especially important if money is needed urgently, and the bank delays making a decision or requires a high interest rate on the loan.

The broker will provide qualified assistance in obtaining loans for small businesses in Belarus, including:

• In choosing a reliable lender.
• In the selection of optimal lending schemes and conditions at rates lower than bank rates.
• In the preparation of leasing agreements.
• In negotiations and legal support of a credit transaction.

Who are business loans available for?

The participation of a credit broker is a guarantee of obtaining the most profitable loans, including:

1. for business from scratch in Minsk;
2. for start-ups (at the initial stage of entrepreneurship);
3. for business development for individual entrepreneurs;
4. for existing private enterprises - in order to expand production;
5. when opening a franchise business.

Business loan terms

Practical skills and established connections in financial circles allow the credit broker to choose the most profitable and loyal conditions for obtaining loans secured by real estate for clients - start-ups and experienced businessmen, in particular:

• for a period from 3 months to 4 years;
• with an interest rate of 1.5 to 5% per month (18-60% per annum).

When processing transactions, an individual approach to each client is provided, taking into account the specific circumstances and financial capabilities of the borrower.

Reshenie Bank offers a wide range of loan products for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, which best suits your needs and capabilities.

Our clients have the opportunity to take out a profitable foreign currency loan in euros, Russian rubles or American dollars.
Financing is also carried out in Belarusian rubles.

Thanks to the credit support provided, you will be able to:
• master the production of new types of products or simply replenish working capital;
• buy new high-performance equipment;
• purchase corporate transport;
• purchase or construct commercial or business premises;
• take your business to a whole new level.

Credit support is provided to enterprises and organizations of all sectors of the national economy and all forms of ownership

• revolving credit line with a tranche of up to 360 days;
• non-revolving line of credit;
• one-time loan;
• renewable multi-currency line with a tranche of up to 360 days;

• continuous business period - 6 months;
• absence of current overdue debt on existing bank loans and other credit transactions as of the date of application;
• absence of seizure of current (settlement) and other bank accounts on the date of the decision to provide a loan product.

• in current activities - up to 2 years inclusive;
• for investments - up to 7 years inclusive.

Specific loan repayment terms are set individually depending on the nature of the transaction.

The interest rate on the loan depends on the client’s credit history, the purpose of the loan, the amount and term of the loan, and methods of ensuring the fulfillment of obligations under the loan agreement.

Interest is calculated by applying it to the actual daily balance of the credit debt account. Interest is paid at least once a month within the terms specified in the loan agreement.

A loan can be issued subject to the provision of sufficient collateral. Fulfillment of obligations to repay the loan and interest for its use can be ensured by: a pledge of real and movable property (property rights), a guarantee, a security deposit of money, a guarantee and other methods provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

One borrower can simultaneously use several methods to ensure the fulfillment of obligations under a loan agreement.

Loans are provided to organizations of all organizational and legal forms and fields of activity, in Bank branches in Minsk, Grodno, Brest, Gomel, Vitebsk, Mogilev and other cities of the Republic of Belarus where Reshenie Bank operates.

Lending is carried out after signing an agreement on individual terms.

The main requirements for those wishing to take out a loan are solvency and financial solvency. A detailed assessment of the organization’s economic situation is carried out on an individual basis, when studying the documents provided.

Loans for starting a business from scratch for aspiring entrepreneurs are issued if the borrower has highly liquid collateral.

• money is issued for any purpose;
• flexible loan repayment schedule, as well as the possibility of deferring payment of the principal debt;
• the form of loan issuance is adapted to the needs of your business
• various ways to ensure fulfillment of obligations;
• affordable interest rate;
• competent advice, assistance in selecting a loan on optimal terms and transaction support.

FAQ

This is a financial instrument that represents a loan in different currencies within a common limit.

The loan rate is set individually, taking into account the client’s financial condition, loan collateral, income that the client brings from servicing the Bank and other factors.

The only cost to the client is the interest rate. The bank does not charge a fee for early loan repayment or document review.

If you are going to finance your investment project in several stages, then a credit line is more profitable for you, since in this case you pay only for the funds actually used, and with a one-time loan, interest is accrued immediately on the entire loan amount, regardless of what part You really spent.