(18 July 2018)The Ljubljana Stock Exchange, an SSE partner exchange since May 2018, has launched an SME Pre-listing Support Programme to help SMEs gain entry to capital markets and access to funding. As part of the process, it is hoped the SMEs will also adopt higher standards of corporate governance and reporting.
The programme will contribute to SDG 8, one of the SSE’s guiding themes. It is particularly pertinent to target 8.3, to “promote development oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services”.
The two-year pilot scheme is the result of collaboration between the LJSE and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with funding from the European Commission and support from the ATVP securities market.
Over the course of 18 months, local and international specialists will provide support and advice on the technical and operational aspects of meeting capital market requirements. The EBRD chose to run the pilot scheme in Slovenia because there are currently no alternative sources of funding there, so many companies still consider debt financing by banks. The recipients, selected by the EBRD, must have their headquarters in Slovenia and have a turnover smaller than 50 millions euros.
The application deadline for interested SMEs is August 31st. More information can be found on the LJSE website.
