As of now, more than 52,000 entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan have utilized the concessional loan programs provided by the country's Entrepreneurship Development Fund (EDF) under the Ministry of Economy, Eldar Hamidov, Deputy Chairman of the EDF Board, said at the 1st National Financial Accessibility Forum, Report informs.
Hamidov highlighted that the total amount of concessional loans extended to entrepreneurs across various sectors and regions of the economy has surpassed 3.3 billion manats (over $1.94 billion).
"We aim to increase the number of entrepreneurs benefiting from state concessional loans every year. In 2024, for instance, the number of businesses receiving these loans surged by 74.7% compared to 2023, reaching 7,222. Additionally, the total loan amount issued grew by 28%, reaching 248 million manats (about $146 million)," Hamidov noted.