The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided on additional support for entrepreneurs in an energy emergency. Small and medium-sized businesses continue to operate despite emergency power outages due to Russian shelling. Because of this, entrepreneurs incur additional costs, and the state decided to introduce a separate assistance package.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko announced this on January 23, commenting on the results of the government meeting. Information was published in the official channel of news and important messages from the Prime Minister. The message notes that the decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Yulia Sviridenko said: “To help get through the difficult period, a support package was adopted at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers”.
According to Sviridenko, small and medium-sized businesses remain the basis of economic sustainability in the regions. Entrepreneurs provide jobs, provide basic services and often act as points of invincibility. But in conditions of unstable energy supply, this has become much more difficult..
The government recognizes that emergency shutdowns affect not only production, but also the daily operation of cafes, pharmacies, shops and bakeries. That is why the support package was focused on energy independence issues. The purpose of the decisions is to help the business survive and not reduce staff.
The support package consists of two main tools. The size of the one-time payment will be from 7,500 to 15,000 UAH. The amount depends on the number of employees, provided there is at least one employee. You can submit an application through the Diya portal. After this, partner banks verify the data, and the State Employment Service transfers the funds.
The money received is allowed to be spent on the purchase or repair of energy equipment, fuel for generators and payment for electricity services.
Loans are provided by almost 50 partner banks for a period of up to 3 years. The maximum amount is up to UAH 10 million, and the difference in the interest rate is compensated by the state through the Entrepreneurship Development Fund.
Details and start date of the programs will be announced by the Ministry of Economy.