Launched last Monday by the federal government, the Believe Program aims to expand access to credit and offer more support to individual microentrepreneurs and micro and small companies. Among the new features, the creation of Desenrola Pequenos Negócios and Procred 360 stand out, as well as improvements to Pronampe – which can benefit 40 thousand indebted entrepreneurs in Espírito Santo. There is also the expansion of Sebrae’s Guarantee Fund for Micro and Small Companies (Fampe).
Currently, Espírito Santo has 462,481 small businesses actively registered with the Federal Revenue Service. Of these, 296,481 are individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs), 140,915 are microenterprises and 25,085 are small businesses.
ES: DEBTS AND DELAYS
According to the latest Small Business Pulse Survey, carried out by Sebrae in February this year, 21% of entrepreneurs consulted in Espírito Santo have loan installments and debts in arrears. For 22% of those interviewed, paying these debts accounts for more than 50% of monthly costs.
The research also reveals that 24% of Espírito Santo entrepreneurs sought loans from banking institutions in the last three months, but only 53% obtained a positive return.
“The Believe Program will benefit both entrepreneurs looking for credit to expand their business and those who need to organize their finances to avoid the closure of their activities”, explains Pedro Rigo, superintendent of the Support Service for Micro and Small Businesses in Espírito Santo (Sebrae /ES).
40 THOUSAND ENTREPRENEURS IN CAPIXABAS
One example is the National Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses (Pronampe), created during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist entrepreneurs, which currently does not allow debt renegotiation.
“Those who took out credit at that time and faced difficulties in paying were prevented from renegotiating as the Pronampe rules did not provide for this possibility. With the Believe Program, this is now possible. This change is a great achievement for entrepreneurs, who will be able to regain their ability to invest and obtain credit”, he details.
In Espírito Santo, around 40 thousand entrepreneurs have debts linked to Pronampe and can now seek financial institutions to renegotiate the debts.
Beware of scams
Pedro Rigo also highlights that the Believe Program is a provisional measure and still pending approval by Congress, which could lead to changes in some of the initiatives announced by the government.
“At this time, it is essential that entrepreneurs are patient and only seek information from official government channels. It is necessary to be wary of emails or advertisements on social networks that promise easy credit or debt settlement”, he warns.
Another recommendation is that interested parties seek information directly from the bank where they have an account or outstanding debts.
“Sebrae is also available for guidance, through its digital channels, by calling 0800 570 0800 and at its agencies distributed throughout the state”, emphasizes Pedro.
- Check out details about the actions planned by the Believe Program for small businesses:
– Develops Small Businesses
Photo: Disclosure
The difficulty in accessing credit generated extensive debt among MEIs, micro and small companies, which has the potential to be reversed through Desenrola Pequenos Negócios. This is an Believe initiative that targets MEIs, micro-enterprises and small companies that are in default on bank debts.
According to the federal government, Desenrola Pequenos Negócios will be equivalent to band 2 of Desenrola for Individuals, offering discounts ranging from 40% to 90% on the original debt.
– Procred 360
This is a policy to encourage credit for MEIs and micro-enterprises, with revenues of up to R$360 thousand per year. It is aimed precisely at those who have the most difficulty accessing credit. Procred 360 will have an interest rate of Selic + 5% per year.
– Pronampe
Created in 2020 to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses (Pronampe) will undergo modernization, in order to allow debt renegotiation and the creation of better conditions for women entrepreneurs.
Those who are in default on Pronampe debts will be able to renegotiate them with the banks, even after the guarantees have been honored, allowing these businesspeople to return to the credit market.
When granting credit, an expanded limit of 50% of annual gross revenue will be created for companies that have women as majority shareholders or managing partners.
– Guarantee Fund for Micro and Small Businesses (Fampe)
Created 28 years ago by Sebrae, the Guarantee Fund for Micro and Small Companies (Fampe) will also be expanded. Over the next three years, the fund intends to provide over R$30 billion in credit for entrepreneurs.
The strategy is to increase the number of operating institutions, including the four federal public banks, the main cooperative systems, regional development agencies and banks and, through BNDES, private banks.
Fampe can be accessed directly at operating financial institutions. On the website www.sebrae.com.br/creditoconciente, it is possible to find all the information and rules for the entrepreneur to obtain credit, which can be covered by up to 80% by the fund.
It is important to highlight that Sebrae does not provide the loan directly, but offers the guarantee required by the financial institution and provides all necessary guidance to the entrepreneur, from applying for credit to repaying it.
- Questions and answers about the Believe Program
– When does the program come into effect?
The Provisional Measure that creates the Believe Program was signed by the president and will be published in the Official Gazette. Therefore, the program comes into force upon its publication. In the next 60 days, the Provisional Measure needs to be approved by the National Congress. This could lead to possible changes to the conditions presented by the program last Monday, 22nd.
Which banks will operate?
Banco do Brasil was present at the launch and has already signaled its work with Small Businesses. Public and private banks are expected to join.
Does Desenrola cover all types of debts with banks and also with the Federal Revenue Service?
Desenrola Pequenos Negócios focuses on renegotiating bank debts of MEIs, micro-enterprises and small companies with annual gross revenue of up to R$4.8 million. Regarding tax debts with the Federal Revenue Service, the program does not explicitly cover tax arrears, unless there are additional specifications or complementary programs announced by the government.
Which banks are part of the program and will accept Desenrola?
Banks will join Desenrola PJ gradually as financial institutions adapt to the rules and conditions of the Program, as occurred in the first phase of Desenrola for Individuals. It is recommended that entrepreneurs pay attention to communications from financial institutions where they have a current account and/or contracted credit operation.
Regarding credit lines, what is the payment period and what is the grace period to start paying?
To date, there is no information about unique conditions for credit lines under the Pense Program. The conditions must be presented after the approval of the Provisional Measure by Congress or in accordance with the credit policies already adopted by the financial institutions that operate under the Crédito Program.
(With information from Sebrae/ES).
