YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006 the SME Developmnent National Center (SME DNC) of Armenia provided assistance to 131 start-up entrepreneurs of the country's marzes. 45 of these entrepreneurs have registered their enterprises. The Deputy Executive Director of the SME DNS Gegham Petrosian said this at the December 25 press conference. In his words, under the program of assistance to start-up entrepreneus, the SME DNC worked out a mechanism of financial assistance, as well as created a fund of 12 mln drams (about 28.5 thousand USD) at the expense of attracted international and foreign resources. It was noted that since November 2006, the crediting of the business programs, which were assessed as the best, was started through the partner bank - ACBA Credit Agricole Bank. Credits are given in the amount of up to 1 million drams, with 12% annual interest rate and are repayable over 3 years. The SME DNC quarantees by 100% the credit liabilities of start-up entrepreneurs. The program has been implemented since November.

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