President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the head office of PJSC JSB “Ukrgasbank” and got himself acquainted with the launch of the Program of financial state support of micro and small business “Available credits of 5-7-9%”.
Representatives of the state-owned Ukrgasbank, one of the partner banks of the program, in conversation with the Head of State reported high demand for such affordable lending among entrepreneurs. Today, the financial institution has already signed several dozen loan agreements with clients.
In particular, entrepreneur Volodymyr Ishchenko told the President that he was engaged in the wholesale trade of timber, building materials and sanitary equipment. He applied to the bank for a loan of 320 thousand hryvnias to purchase special equipment for processing waste wood into woodchip.
“Production has been looking forward to credits for a long time. 5-7-9% is a normal rate. People still do not have confidence in the banking system. Apparently, this is the consequence of certain events under previous power. I would like people to believe and take their money to banks,” the businessman said.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the possibility of extending the credit program for micro and small enterprises in the future.
“5-7-9% is not for a month, not for a year, but for five years. The program will run for five years. And then we will see: depending on the number of clients, we will expand the program,” he said.
The President also spoke with those who have just applied for a loan. In particular, businessman Oleksiy Nesterenko told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he needed a loan in the amount of one million hryvnias to buy computer equipment for a startup - opening a school of robotics for children.
“We need jobs. And in your case - creative jobs,” the Head of State emphasized when talking to the entrepreneur.
It bears reminding that the "Available credits 5-7-9%" state program was initiated by the President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers for broad support of projects of Ukrainian micro and small enterprises.
Granting three possible rates - 5%, 7% or 9% - on loans will depend on the size of the business and its duration. Additionally, the lending rate will be reduced by 0.5% per annum for each employee, but not less than 5% per annum.