Private Briefing April 2024

No. 133 | Year XII

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The April 2024 Private Briefing provides insights into current support programs for SMEs and farmers, ranging from entirely innovative support models to updated standard models. We analyse ENEF 2, which in its new iteration aims to enhance competitiveness and expansion for SMEs, and the revamped StarTech focusing on digital transformation and innovation. Additionally, we examine incentives for quality livestock and the Development Fund’s permanent working capital loans in collaboration with the EIB, offering exceptional financing conditions for enterprise sustainability.

// As an additional financing model to overcome the chronic shortage of long-term financial resources, with significant amounts gap hampering the development of the SME sector, the Development Fund has further enhanced its offer by launching new lines from EIB funds. While in the last edition of Private Briefing we analysed loans for permanent working capital, in this issue we turn to investment loans, following a model that provides very high-quality support for well-defined investment projects.

// Investment loans from the EIB credit line are intended for a wide range of investment needs, from expanding capacity, through modernizing equipment and facilities, to improving infrastructure. The maximum loan amount reaches up to 1,46 million dinars, approximately 12 million EUR, and the interest rate is uniform for all users at 3,4% annually, representing an exceptionally attractive offer for all forms of enterprises compared to commercial sources. The repayment period is up to 12 years, with a grace period of up to 4 years, allowing not only high-quality and stable planning and management of financing costs but also significant time available for the implementation of investments before the start of repayment. All businesses that have fewer than 250 employees, as well as medium-sized enterprises, defined as companies with at least 250 but fewer than 3000 employees with registered predominant activity from the list of activities approved by the EIB, are eligible to use the funds from this credit line.

// Investment loans are vital resource for improving the business activities of beneficiaries, enabling the maintenance of business continuity and increasing competitive capacity through stability and planned business operations. Simultaneously, the ability to finance ongoing and capital investments improves the beneficiaries’ market position, towards reducing costs and increasing revenue. Lower costs come as a result of the improvements that new and modern equipment or facilities allow in terms of maintenance, efficiency, or energy consumption, while increased production capacity directly affects revenue growth. The end result is that businesses can count on long-term improvements in profitability and the capacity to accumulate capital for further development. An additional aspect is certainly the fact that the grace period allows new capacities to start paying off before the commencement of the principal repayment, further releasing funds for other costs associated with improving sales, entering other markets, or other positions that contribute to improving overall business performance. Also, this allows the creation of reserves for managing risks, i.e., unexpected costs and market changes. Adequately measured repayment terms and favourable interest rates therefore make this financing option extremely attractive for long-term enhancement of capacity and competitiveness of enterprises. A quality business plan and careful analysis of the economic framework are prerequisites for successfully achieving these goals, and cooperation with experienced consultants can be beneficial in preparing the entire application.

ENEF 2: Integral Approach to Improvements for Market Champions’ Operations

// The Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF) stands out as one of the most significant international initiatives supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans, with a special focus on Serbia. The first phase of this program provided significant financial and advisory support aimed at encouraging the growth and development of local businesses. Following the successful completion of the first ENEF program, which began in 2014, this year sees the operational launch and ongoing second phase—ENEF II. In line with initial settings, ENEF II continues the mission of its predecessor with expanded capacities, providing even greater resources and support to businesses through a range of financial instruments, from minority equity investments and recapitalizations to hybrid debt and equity instruments, and classic lending.

The basic postulates implemented through the first phase aimed, among other things, to overcome the limitations of traditional sources and methods of financing in the local market, which through ENEF 1 meant investments in SMEs with high growth potential, using initial capital of 48,5 million euros. The focus was on identifying and supporting regional champions, i.e., market leaders with good growth prospects, and the financial instruments used

in this phase included direct investments in equity, quasi-equity, and long-term loans. The second phase, ENEF II, continues in the footsteps of its predecessor, but with a budget of up to 75 million euros and a goal to provide broader financing opportunities. In addition to capital for expansion, this program also offers extensive advisory support both before and after investment, focusing on sustainability and integrating new aspects of sustainability into practice, such as ESG.

// Targeted investments of the ENEF 2 program range from 500.000 to 8 million euros per project, and support is secured with the participation of leading financial institutions such as EBRD, EIB, KfW, and local partners, among which Banca Intesa was the first to join the program. They play a key role in providing financing and strategic support. Additional support mechanisms include guarantee schemes such as the WB EDIF Guarantee Facility to facilitate access to credit for SMEs. The ENEF places particular emphasis on the importance of capacity building through advisory services that enable companies to develop the necessary skills for growth and adaptation to changing market conditions. These services include assistance in creating business plans, implementing projects, and continuous support in managing operations.

In terms of financial support, the variability of possible financing methods is one of the significant aspects of ENEF. The approach that allows a truly wide spectrum of models clearly suggests that the program is set up to find a way to adequately respond to the needs of each individual user, primarily focusing on the ultimate goal of development and growth, rather than rigid conditions with which users need to comply.

// With the ENEF II program, expectations are that it will bring even greater improvements in supporting SMEs in Serbia. The goal is not only financial support but also the creation of sustainable, competitive companies capable of further development and expansion into the international market. This holistic approach, which combines financial, advisory, and strategic support, is a recipe for achieving long-term stability and development. Simultaneously, ENEF aims to identify and support companies as potential growth generators within their business segment. While such an approach significantly reduces the direct reach of the program, measured by the number of support users, it also allows for the multiplication of the support effect, through the network effect that users can generate on their partners and suppliers. The concept of empowering “market champions” that ENEF brings, thus creates additional incentives beyond direct support to immediate users and certainly represents an initiative worth recommending. From our experience and previous practice, quality preparation and presentation of performance and development plans for companies, when it comes to programs like ENEF, are essential prerequisites to access support, and the Glenfield team of consultants is available for initial analyses and development of proposals to achieve support in such a complex and potentially very beneficial model.

StarTech: Innovations and Digital Transformation in 2024

// NALED, in collaboration with the Government of Serbia, continues to implement the StarTech program, which since its inception in 2021 has transformed into a traditional initiative supporting innovation and digital transformation of the Serbian economy. With a total budget of 8 million dollars, fully funded by the private sector, specifically Philip Morris, StarTech 2024 maintains its tripartite structural framework, enriched with new elements and adjustments that reflect market dynamics and the needs of innovative SMEs operating within it, aiming to surpass local boundaries.

The StarTech program is formulated within three main components – Direct financial and expert support, Improvement of the business environment, and Promotion of innovations. In terms of direct financial support, previous years focused on early-stage innovations, while the current cycle focuses on projects ready for domestic and international markets. Accordingly, two annual calls are planned, each including the allocation of grants and a rapid development program. This component is particularly significant in 2024, and according to the plan it will also be in 2025, given the increase in available funds and the expansion of the scope of support. The business

environment improvement component includes working with the Innovative Public Policy Lab and initiatives like the Export Hub in Niš. The goal is to create more favorable conditions for innovative and high-tech enterprises through structural reforms and better regulations which will redesign the administrative framework for faster and more dynamic development. Finally, in addition to educating businesses and the public about the importance of digital transformation, the promotion of innovations aims to mobilize the private and donor sectors for greater participation in supporting an innovation and digitalization-based business ecosystem.

The current StarTech call offers significant financial resources within the first component, with a clear focus on innovative startups and SMEs that convincingly demonstrate potential for growth and internationalization. Compared to previous cycles, where grant amounts varied depending on the project category within a slightly different support model structure, this year’s program offers up to 50.000 dollars per project, with a requirement for a minimum of 20% co-financing by the applicant, bringing standardization and simplification to the financing process. The evaluation and selection procedure is thorough and structured, with clear criteria for assessing the innovativeness of the project, team capabilities for implementation, market potential, and defined risks and ways of overcoming them. Differences in approach compared to previous years include increased transparency and additional support in preparing applications, potentially reducing barriers to entry for new participants.

// StarTech 2024 effectively reflects Serbia’s growing ambitions to position itself as a leader in the digital economy of the region and an innovation-based economy. From a narrower perspective, from the users’ viewpoint, with an expanded budget and programs, greater integration with key institutional partners, and a stronger focus on internationalizing operations, the program represents a significant opportunity for domestic innovators who have a clear vision for development and market knowledge, as well as the concept of establishing and improving their market presence. Overall, StarTech 2024 represents a well-structured program that proves to be a factor in the development of digital and innovative transformation. Recognizing market needs and adapting program components accordingly ensures that StarTech remains relevant and effective. In the context of exploiting this development opportunity, it is important to emphasize the relevance of preparing and presenting projects, which has been enhanced in the current program cycle through more detailed support and resources available to applicants, but also does not exclude advice from previous recipients or consultants experienced in preparing such applications.

DAP: Significant Incentives for Quality Breeding Livestock

// In the realm of regular support models for farmers, state subsidies represent a standard mechanism with high certainty. This month, the Ministry of Agriculture through the Directorate for Agrarian Payments enables the submission of applications for incentives in livestock farming for the acquisition of quality breeding stock. The incentives cover various livestock categories, including dairy cows, sheep, goats, sows and boars, as well as fattening cows and bulls. Additionally, incentives for different types of parent poultry, turkeys, and breeding stocks of carp and trout are included. The livestock that are the subject of the incentives encompass a wide range of fattening, dairy, and breeding breeds, at various ages, largely representing the entire possible range of support when it comes to livestock, fisheries, and poultry. An application for incentives is submitted separately for each type of animal.

The application for incentives in livestock for quality breeding stock for 2024 is submitted to the Directorate for Agrarian Payments. Legal entities, entrepreneurs, and private individuals – holders of commercial agricultural households registered in the Register of Agricultural Households for 2024 are eligible for incentives. Incentives are awarded for various types of quality breeding stock

with specific amounts for each category, ranging from 10.000 dinars for sheep, goats, and kids, over 18.000 dinars for sows and boars, to 40.000 dinars for dairy and fattening cows and bulls. Applications are submitted electronically via the eAgrar system from April 15 to May 15, and the total available funds for this public call are set t to 15 billion dinars.

// The significance of the incentives within the public call for 2024 for quality breeding stock, although it may seem modest compared to other, broader-focused agricultural support programs, actually represents a vital component in maintaining stability and regular income for agricultural holdings. The continuous nature of these incentives ensures that funds from other, dedicated improvement programs can be used more effectively, whether it concerns infrastructure improvements, capacity increases, reduction of operating costs, or enhancement of the quality of the livestock fund. This forms the foundation for the development of additional aspects of competitiveness in livestock farming, both in terms of productivity and export potential. Thus, the incentives are not just financial aid, but also a strategic investment in the basic infrastructure of livestock farming that enables farms to plan and implement broader modernization and development projects. Since they also allow for the introduction of innovations and investment in additional capacities through complementary programs or commercial initiatives, they deserve every recommendation as a support model.

KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORSApr - 24
1Annual inflation5.00%
2Reference interest rate6.50%
3Unemployment rate9.10%
4Average net salary - RSD94,125
5Average pension - RSD45,739
6Exchange rate RSD/EUR
On the last day of the month117.1415
Average exchange rate for the month117.1886
7Exchange rate RSD/USD
On the last day of the month108.6857
Average exchange rate for the month107.8335

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