VTB has begun operating under the Moscow government’s preferential loan program designed to support entrepreneurs in prioritized sectors, according to the bank’s press service. The move places the bank at the center of a state-led initiative to boost small and medium-sized enterprises across key industries and regions.
Under the program, small and medium-sized businesses can access up to 30 million rubles per year to fund development initiatives at an interest rate capped at 13 percent. This concessional rate applies for a period of one year, providing a financial runway for growth, modernization, and expansion projects that require timely capital. The structure aims to ease the burden of financing during the early stages of investment and stabilize cash flow as businesses scale up.
VTB clarified that the program is open to entrepreneurs active in a broad range of sectors. Eligible areas include production and manufacturing, information technology, export-oriented activities, social services, research and development, healthcare, sports and recreation, tourism, hotel management, and the creative industries, among others. This wide eligibility suggests a deliberate effort to catalyze innovation, job creation, and regional development by tying support to sectors with strong growth potential and societal impact.
To participate, a company must be registered in Moscow as a legal entity or as an individual entrepreneur and must be listed in the unified register of small and medium-sized enterprises. The registration requirement ensures that the program targets genuine SMEs and aligns with official metrics used to track outcomes and program reach. By tying access to local registration, the program emphasizes regional economic policy goals while maintaining transparent eligibility criteria.
Denis Bortnikov, deputy chairman and chairman of the bank’s board, noted that the 2024–2026 development strategy prioritizes increasing financing for medium and small businesses across all Russian regions. He described government programs as valuable resources for customers, highlighting their role in reducing costs and accelerating growth. This perspective underscores a broader strategy to synchronize banking products with public incentives, enabling businesses to navigate financing more efficiently and with greater predictability.
In remarks about the Moscow program, Bortnikov pointed to the considerable involvement of city-based entrepreneurs. The bank’s portfolio of loans in Moscow under various state programs exceeds 83 billion rubles, illustrating a substantial public-private collaboration that supports local enterprise and innovation. This track record conveys a sense of reliability and continuity for businesses seeking financing through official channels, reinforcing the program’s credibility within the capital’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the expanded Moscow government lending initiative is expected to bolster demand for capital among firms in priority and high-tech sectors. By channeling subsidized funds toward working capital needs, investment projects, refinancing, and business development, the program equips companies with the financial flexibility required to pursue growth strategies, upgrade operations, and compete more effectively on domestic and international markets. The approach signals a sustained commitment to leveraging government resources to strengthen the SME landscape and accelerate the pace of innovation in Moscow and beyond.
Overall, the concessional loan offering from VTB is positioned as a practical instrument for entrepreneurs aiming to scale responsibly. It complements broader economic policy goals by providing tangible liquidity options that support strategic investments, modernized processes, and enhanced competitiveness in a dynamic market environment. For eligible businesses, the program represents a meaningful opportunity to align growth plans with favorable financing terms and official incentives that can help manage risk and optimize long-term outcomes.