ANDE presented loans with preferential rates and terms for Uruguayan MSMEs, with the possibility of application in agricultural companies
This week, the National Development Agency (ANDE) launched a loan for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The objective is to facilitate access to financing for small businesses that need to acquire goods or services of Italian or Latin American origin to improve their competitiveness and development. The activity took place in the agency’s event room and was sponsored by the Italian Embassy and the Uruguay-Italy Chamber of Commerce.
ANDE director Martín Ambrosi said that this was a “very important and powerful tool, due to the benefits it has for companies.” He also highlighted that “it is a loan with preferential rates and terms for Uruguayan MSMEs.”
The ANDE Access to Financing team then highlighted the conditions and requirements of the loan, which must be used for the purchase of goods and/or services of Italian or Latin American origin.
Applies to the acquisition of machinery and equipment, raw materials, technical assistance, among others.
The loan can be requested for amounts starting from 15,000 euros.
The companies Santa Rosa Automotores, Maiqueserra SRL and Tecnolenz, shared their experiences and achievements with the MSME Credit.
The program arises from a collaboration agreement between the governments of Italy and Uruguay, and ANDE is responsible for granting the credit by operating as a local financial agent designated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), in order to facilitate access to financing and contribute to the development and competitiveness of MSMEs throughout the country.
Through this program, MSMEs can apply for a loan with the following characteristics:
Amounts from 15,000 euros.
Effective annual rate of 4% in indexed units (UI) or dollars.
Bonified rate of 3.5% effective annual in UI or dollars for investments with a positive environmental impact, including investments in water and irrigation systems for agricultural use; companies whose owners are women and/or people under 30 years of age in at least 50% of their members.
Those intended for the acquisition of goods and/or services of Italian or Latin American origin, such as machinery and equipment, raw materials, technical assistance, among others.
The eligible investments, detailed in the document published below, are as follows:
Renewable energy; energy efficiency; pollution control and prevention measures; sustainable management of natural resources; sustainable mobility; and products and processes adapted to the circular economy.
The chapter on “sustainable management of natural resources” lists: “Equipment and supplies for sustainable water management”, namely: “water reservoirs for agricultural use (Australian tanks); water conveyance and irrigation systems for agricultural use; membrane for waterproofing lagoons; aerators for effluent treatment plants; equipment for intermittent irrigation systems in rice production; electric fencing for agricultural use that promotes rational grazing.”