Small enterprises to have more funds for research
O Estado de S. Paulo
Micro and small companies have started receiving more support from the Governmental bodies for research. They gained a new tool in the beginning of the month, with the launching of a R$ 10 million (US$ 5 million) credit line for projects in innovation and technological research, by means of the State Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (Funcet), of the Government of the State o São Paulo. The program follows the line of a program of support to small enterprises launched by the Federal Government last year. In 2008, small companies were benefited from the launching of the First Innovative Company Program (Programa Primeira Empresa Inovadora), of the Studies and Projects Funding Body (Finep). The period also marks the first public announcement of the program of Human Resources in Strategic Areas (RHAE, in Portuguese), of the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), which designates resources for researchers in the small companies.
With an eye on this movement, the Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (Sebrae) develops a pilot-project to make the access of the entrepreneurs to these program easier. The experiment is underway in the textile center of Americana (SP), and it should instruct the companies willing to enroll in the next stage of the RHAE, which should be open in mid July.
In the program of the Government of São Paulo, the program limits the credit to R$ 200 thousand, with a period of grace of up to 24 months. The payment can be made in 36 installments, at an interest rate of 6% a year. The purchased good, except for computer equipment, can work as a guarantee for the loan. In the first public announcement, the proposals of industrial and agricultural companies requiring special financing conditions will be selected.