Today, February 14, Andrii Godyk, the first deputy head of Lviv OVA, met with business representatives to discuss the current support tools that entrepreneurs need.
As he reminded, last year Lviv OVA was the first and only one in Ukraine to introduce the Business Support Program during martial law. This tool, funded by the regional budget and co-financed with partners, was an effective anti-crisis measure.
“Last year, the Business Support Program proved to be an effective mechanism under martial law. When we approved the Program in April, the state had not yet offered an alternative. Today, we have a slightly different situation, and it is important for us to talk with you about where we can offer our ways of support, or where to scale state support”, Andriy Godyk noted.
We remind you that the program includes three areas of business support:
- Providing irrevocable financial assistance to enterprises that have moved and registered to the territory of Lviv region;
- Business voucher support;
- Provision of irrevocable financial assistance for the purchase of equipment to enterprises of the food, light, machine-building, and woodworking industries.
By the way, the first two areas currently have no alternative support from the state budget. As for the purchase of equipment, a similar mechanism works within the framework of the state program ЕРобота.
It should be noted that over the past year, within the scope of the regional business support program, more than 40 relocated enterprises and more than 80 enterprises of the food, light, and machine-building industries received irrevocable financial assistance, and more than 100 business entities received voucher support for marketing purposes and product certification.
During the meeting, entrepreneurs who took advantage of the program emphasized its importance and relevance. Other topical issues were also discussed: reservation of employees of enterprises during martial law, expansion of export activities, etc.
The program continued this year as well. Estimated initial financing is UAH 50 million. Also, a new type of vouchers was introduced this year. These are vouchers for participation in foreign exhibition and fair events (up to UAH 100,000).
Therefore, as part of the implementation of the “Business Support Program in Lviv Oblast for the Period of Martial Law” this year, they plan to provide support to 250 to 300 business entities and create 700-1000 new jobs.