SME Corporation reports that small and medium-sized enterprises have accessed more than 1.7 billion rubles through the SME.RF platform to explore and secure financing. The platform is built to simplify the journey to credit by bringing together multiple microfinance options and presenting firms with suitable funding solutions across the country.
In the first half of operation, the platform handled nearly 2,500 applications, leading to the issuance of roughly 800 microloans. The typical loan profile reveals an average annual interest rate around 6.9 percent, underscoring the favorable terms that the service makes readily available to SMEs.
During this period, 76 state microfinance organizations from 70 regions participated in the lending activity, delivering close to 800 microloans to small and medium-sized enterprises. The average microloan processed by the platform stood at about 2.2 million rubles, with an average repayment term of approximately 2.5 years, illustrating the spectrum of funding options designed to support growth and steady operation for SMEs.
The digitization of the process is highlighted as a driving force behind easier microcredit procurement and broader access for SMEs. By consolidating several financing channels and standardizing documentation, SME.RF aims to cut down the time and effort required for businesses to secure funding, making capital more accessible when it is needed most.
Officials emphasize that the government continues to evaluate the value of microfinance measures in light of business needs. This assessment helps allocate resources where they deliver tangible benefits for entrepreneurs and the wider economy, ensuring that the support remains relevant and effective.
Geographically, the Irkutsk region registered the largest volume of microloans issued through SME.RF, with total disbursements surpassing 426 million rubles. This regional focus demonstrates the platform’s ability to reach diverse local markets while aligning with national objectives for development and employment growth.
The SME.RF platform operates under the broader national project for Small and Medium Enterprises, a program connected to national leadership and overseen by senior government officials. The initiative seeks to strengthen the ecosystem for entrepreneurship and self-employment, leveraging federal, regional, and local budgets to back lending efforts and stimulate business vitality.
In essence, the state microfinance framework exists to assist entrepreneurs and independent workers by pooling financial resources from different levels of government. Regional authorities and municipalities initiate the program and collaborate with national strategies to foster business expansion and job creation across the country.