Resources of €10 million EUR 1.5 million to support the Small Loan Fund for Rural Entrepreneurship (SBAE) consequently the support of farmers and agro-processing companies, has been secured by the leadership of the
Ministry of Rural Development and Food -YPAAT.

YPATF - The beneficiaries of the Fund

The beneficiaries of the Small Rural Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (SBAF) are:

• professional farmers
• legal persons whose principal activity is agriculture
• young farmers under action 6.1
• recognised collective organisations of farmers and
• small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises with an agricultural end product

The amount of the loan ranges from 3,000 euros to 25,000 euros and the repayment period of 2 to 5 years. On each loan 50% is granted by the Rural Development Programme (PAA) through the Fund and is interest-free and the the remaining 50% from the bank. In addition, the CIP through the Fund provides interest rate subsidy for the remaining half of the bank's loan for the first two years.

This results in beneficiaries being able to have zero interest rate for the first two years of the loan repayment. ForFor the rest of the period they have interest only on 50% of their total loan, i.e. the part of the loan in which the bank participates.

The total budget of the Small Loans Fund for Rural Entrepreneurship (SBAE) in the coming period will amount to 31,5 million. EUR 21,5 million from EUR 21,5 million euros where it is today.