The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will back around 60 projects aimed at small and mid-size companies in Serbia in 2012, by means of the so-called Business Advisory Services (BAS) programme, EBRD official Aleksandra Miladinovic stated in Krusevac, central Serbia, on Tuesday.

According to Miladinovic, projects in the sectors of energy efficiency and environmental protection will get financial support, while another budget line is aimed at projects connected to consulting. Women entrepreneurship should also receive support.

During the presentation of the programme in the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Krusevac, Miladinovic said that around 320 small and mid-size companies received support in the course of five years.

This is a donor programme aimed at small and mid-size companies as support in consulting services, Miladinovic said and added that there are two ways to help companies, and one of them refers to project co-financing.

She noted that donation percentage depends on the location of the company, type of consulting service the company is using and the number of employees. She noted that the maximum funds granted to companies so far totalled EUR 10,000, or 25 to 75 percent of the project's net value.

In addition to this, BAS programme will deal with activities aimed at market development which include various trainings, seminars and courses.