PKS offers new support programme for start-ups

As of today, start-ups can get help from a new Support Programme. The target audience are newly established entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises operating for no longer than 36 months, or 48 months if the majority owner is a woman, as well as individuals planning to start their own business.
The Serbian Foundation for Entrepreneurship and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS) announced this at the signing of an agreement. The Support Programme for start-ups is aimed at creating a stimulating environment for the development of entrepreneurship, encouraging sustainable business ideas and generating new jobs in Serbia.
It provides comprehensive support to all those starting or developing a business through a combination of financial and non-financial measures.
According to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs make up 99.8 per cent of Serbia’s economy. They employ almost two-thirds of those working in the non-financial sector and contribute 56.9 per cent to GDP. Despite this good indicator, there is still room for growth and a need for stronger support.
He also emphasized that the new Support Programme for start-ups is focused on encouraging entrepreneurship, self-employment and the creation of new jobs. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia will be an implementation partner and provide expert support in preparing business and investment plans and in implementing incentive loans.
According to the Director of the Serbian Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Aleksandar Grabovac, support for start-ups is one of the foundation’s key priorities.
He said that they plan to help around 800 beneficiaries undergo training and develop the skills needed for successfully starting and running their own business through this programme. They plan to do it in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia by the end of 2026. It will further strengthen institutional support and create more favourable conditions for the development of entrepreneurship in Serbia.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia will provide advisory support and free training within the Programme. In addition, partner banks will provide beneficiaries with loans of up to 30,000 euros. Also, users who repay the loan regularly and continue their business operations will get grants of up to 20 per cent of the loan amount, or a maximum of 3,000 euros.
The aim of the activities of the Government of Serbia is the improvement of the entrepreneurial environment. International partners, the Government of Germany and the German development bank KfW work in cooperation within this programme.
Halkbank, ProCredit Bank, 3Bank, Erste Bank, NLB Komercijalna Banka and OTP Banka participate in the implementation of the Programme.

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