Dimitar Danchev: The Ministry of Economy will support small businesses with up to BGN 100,000 in case of closure due to the crisis with COVID-19

The Ministry of Economy (ME) and Minister Ninova fought for grants for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are of great concern to us. This was announced to national media by the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dimitar Danchev, quoted by the press center of the ministry.

The envisaged aid in case of reaching the 4th stage of full closure amounts to 20% of the average net revenues of these enterprises for 2021, and the ceiling of the aid is up to BGN 100 thousand. "The situation is related to their survival, because they are 90% of the country's economy," he said.

Regarding the application criteria, he said that all sectors of the Bulgarian economy, which will be closed by order of the Minister of Health and meet the criteria for micro, small and medium enterprises, will have practical access to this measure. "Our idea is for the business not to be closed without the compensatory measures it can count on. That is why our ambition this time is for the measures to be clear, predictable and adequate, "he explained. The aid will most likely be administered again by the NRA.

Deputy Minister Danchev also said that the Ministry of Economy and Industry plans to initiate meetings with representatives of interested industries.

With this act, the Ministry of Economy managed to win two strategic victories in favor of the Bulgarian economy in just one week and to protect the interests of Bulgarian consumers. After the Sofia City Administrative Court rejected the appeal of A1 Bulgaria and Telenor Bulgaria against the order of Minister Ninova, which forbade the trader to use unfair commercial practices, the Ministry of Economy managed to fight for a grant in support of small and medium enterprises.