Eng 
Укр Banks to support small and medium-sized businesses with 70% of loans in 2024
According to the expert, since February 24, 2022, the number of loans issued under the "5-7-9" program amounted to 44,000 units. for a total amount of over UAH 177 million, which is 1.5 times greater than the number of loans issued in the period from 2020 to February 2022.
The banker reported that since the beginning of the program, the undisputed leader is agricultural enterprises, which received 39% of the total number of loans issued (31.2 thousand loans in the amount of UAH 130 billion). they are followed by enterprises in the field of trade — 33% (almost 26,000 loans for almost UAH 69 billion), in third place is the industry — 12% (9,200 loans in the amount of UAH 43.8 billion).
The specialist emphasized that at the end of 2023, the "5-7-9" program accounted for more than ¼ of all bank loans. At the same time, in 2024, the implementation of the program will become more targeted (point) with a vector on entrepreneurs in those sectors of the economy that have not yet recovered after a large-scale invasion and that carry out their activities in regions with high military risks.
"In the budget for 2024, UAH 18 billion has been allocated for the "5-7-9" program. However, more than 5 billion of these funds will be spent on covering accumulated debt for interest compensation to banks participating in the program. That is, in fact, the budget of the program will be reduced by almost a third in 2024. And it is quite appropriate to reorient state support to the industries that need it the most," said the expert.
