The launch of three grant-providing schemes under the 1.163 billion euro Operational Programme Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007-2013, was announced by Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov on October 17, as quoted by the web site investor.bg.
Of the total, 998 million euro was to be extended by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), whose aim was to reduce regional disparities in the European Union while at the same time encouraging the development and conversion of regions. The remaining 175 million euro was to come from the Bulgarian government.
The Programmes budget for 2007 had slated 25 million euro to be spent on the technological modernisation of businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises were eligible for grants under this scheme and the deadline for applying for it was January 22 2008, investor.bg said. The minimum sum to apply for was 50 000 leva and maximum size of the grant could reach two million leva. Each project should be co-financed by the applicant, Dimitrov said.
Under the second scheme, for covering international quality standards, only companies registered by the end of 2003 and with an annual turnover of at least 100 000 leva could apply for grants. The total amount to be spent on the scheme for 2007 was five million euro, and the deadline for applications was January 15 2008.
The third grant scheme was aimed at encouraging new innovative businesses. It was not limited in time and its budget was four million euro, Dimitrov said.
