Indirect development loan is granted by SNCI via local authorized banks
Beneficiaries
Indirect development loans can be granted to companies realizing projects concerning business creation, innovation, expansion, replacement or takeover, and which will also have a substantial impact on national economic development.
Beneficiaries shall possess a valid business permit issued by the Ministry of the Economy.
Purpose
Indirect development loans are intended to finance depreciable tangible and intangible assets, as well as land which is used exclusively for business purposes.
Provided that the beneficiary establishes a business plan, the following projects are eligible for an indirect development loan:
- the expansion of current business activities;
- the purchase and replacement of depreciable tangible and intangible assets;
- the development and communication of products/services, processes or organizational methods that are new or substantially improved/modified as compared to the latest technology in the industry concerned, and which carry a risk of technical or industrial failure;
- the startup or transfer of a business.
This loan cannot be combined with other SNCI instruments.
Eligible costs
Investments in depreciable assets and negative operating cash flows carried out within the business development project are eligible for an indirect development loan.
Depreciable assets and negative operating cash flows include, for example, land; buildings; professional equipment, machinery and facilities; personnel expenditure; patent filing fees; expenses related to contract research; use of databanks, technical libraries and laboratories; acquisition of patents/ licenses; feasibility studies; innovation support services like market research; implementation of new regulatory standards; testing and certification; and marketing/promotion costs for new products/services during one budget year. Production and distribution costs are excluded.
Loan amount
The indirect development loan must be no less than EUR 12,500 and no higher than EUR 10,000,000. The SNCI’s share cannot exceed the funding amount contributed by the intermediary bank.
Duration
The maximum duration of the loan is 15 years. Depending on project requirements, it can include a grace period of maximum 2 years.
Interest rate
The interest rates are fixed by the SNCI’s Board of Directors on the basis of interest rates on the capital market, as well as on the basis of the SNCI’s refinancing costs. The interest rate depends on the duration and currently stands between 2.75% and 3.25%.
Disbursement
Loans are disbursed upon written request of the intermediary bank.
Repayment
Repayment is made in equally distributed quarterly installments. Early repayments are possible and incur no fees or penalties.
Guarantees
SNCI shall benefit from the same guarantees as those granted to the beneficiary’s other creditors.
Application
Applications for indirect development loans must be submitted to SNCI via one of the local authorized banks.