Events
Existing constraints in the area of SME financing, but also ways to address them, were discussed in a round table organised by the Ministry of Economy
The working meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Lazăr, Minister of Economy, who said in his speech that this roundtable was a timely and expected one. “We have received several signals from the business community about constraints but also expectations in the area of access to finance, which is why it was important to provide a platform for discussion for all parties involved, with a constructive dialogue that would conclude with the identification of concrete solutions,” underlined the Deputy Prime Minister. The Minister of Economy gave an overview of the economic context in which the Republic of Moldova finds itself, noting that one of the constraints hampering economic growth is the limited access of companies to finance. Valeriu Lazăr highlighted the importance of effective cooperation between all actors involved in the financial market in order to identify the most successful ways of resolving problems relating to access to finance. The Minister of Economy reviewed the instruments used by the Ministry of Economy to support SMEs, including the “PARE 1 + 1” programme, PNAET, the Credit Guarantee Fund, etc. Valeriu Lazăr stressed, however, that these programmes cannot replace credit institutions.
The event was attended by Dorin DRĂGUȚANU, Governor of the National Bank, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the National Financial Market Commission, banking and non-banking financial institutions, representatives of SMEs, international donor organisations, non-governmental associations, etc.
SME representatives highlighted existing constraints in the area of access to finance. Among the problems raised by them can be listed:the high interest rates and volatility of loans, the lack of long-term financial resources, the lack and low liquidity of the pledge, the long procedures for exercising the right of pledge and the lack of suitable banking technologies for lending to SMEs, the lack of financial education of entrepreneurs, etc.
The Governor of the National Bank, Dorin DĂGUȚANU, said "I understand the position of SMEs to have cheap, large and longer term credit, but for banks it is important to secure credit as they want to keep their risk under control and obviously make a profit. That is why the efficient use of the Credit Guarantee Fund would make it easier for SMEs to access finance.”
The banking environment, at its origin, has highlighted the importance of banks having access to cheap resources so that they can subsequently finance SMEs at affordable rates and over time that coincide with the investment cycles of a business.
Among the solutions identified by the roundtable participants were the promotion of a monetary policy oriented towards low and stable inflation; lowering lending rates and ensuring their predictability and stability; attracting foreign investment in the financial sector, primarily from strategic and SME investors, developing the credit guarantee scheme for SMEs, including through the Credit Guarantee Fund; development of the secondary market for pledged fixed assets; the adoption by banks of more efficient credit risk management and assessment processes and the formation of loan loss reserves; development of the venture capital system and informal investment schemes; optimising the law on pledges; facilitating access to training, advice, advice and technical assistance for the qualitative preparation of business plans; developing innovative financing schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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