The Slovak government wants to set up a state investment fund that would support small and medium-sized companies, startups and other projects that are not able to secure financing from commercial banks and funds. The fund, which will be managed by the newly established Slovak investment holding, will get €420m to start. State departments will contribute 3 percent of what’s allocated to them from the EU 2014-2020 budget. The Slovak Finance Ministry is also trying to attract private capital as well, marketing the fund as a transparent and credible investment opportunity. The holding will absorb any risks. The ministry hopes to collect an additional €1.6bn from private investors. In addition to starting projects and companies, the money could also be used to finance infrastructure, renewable energetics or, for example, water treatment plants for municipalities.
