Credi PAI should reach 80 cities by June.

Goiás247_ The Credi Vapt program started the year at full speed, continuing the process of expanding credit offerings to small and micro-entrepreneurs in Goiás. Credi Vapt combines the credit lines of Credi PAI and the services provided by Vapt Vupt Itinerante. According to the Secretary of Management and Planning, Leonardo Vilela, approximately 80 municipalities will be visited by the end of the first semester. “Under the guidance of Governor Marconi Perillo, this work was initiated by former Secretary Giuseppe Vecci, and we are honored to continue it, streamlining and expanding the resources of Credi PAI, benefiting any citizen of Goiás who wants to start a business,” stated Leonardo Vilela.

According to Vilela, at the beginning of this year, Credi Vapt has already been in Rialma, Jussara, Alto Horizonte, São Miguel do Passa Quatro, Santa Rita do Araguaia, and Cidade Ocidental. The next cities to be visited are Cachoeira Dourada, Mambaí, and São Miguel do Araguaia. The average number of services provided by the Vapt Vupt Itinerante has been 1.300 in each city. In addition to the Credi Vapt credit lines, the Vapt Vupt Itinerante offers the population services such as document issuance and social assistance through OVG.

A report from Segplan shows that, in the last 12 months (January 2013 to January 2014), Credi PAI released more than R$ 14 million to finance various projects for small and micro-entrepreneurs in Goiás. The disbursements were made within the credit lines operated by Banco do Povo (R$ 500 to R$ 10) and the Agência de Fomento (R$ 10.001 to R$ 25). Both have interest rates of 0,25% per month, a repayment term of 36 months, and a grace period of six months. 532 contracts were signed at Banco do Povo and approximately 800 at the Agência de Fomento. The first R$ 12 million released by the Agência de Fomento covered working capital and investment. The resources financed by Banco do Povo only cover investment.

According to economist Júlio Paschoal, head of the Deputy Office for Planning, Quality of Spending and Investment at Segplan, 21,5% of the total contracts made by Banco do Povo were released in the last four months, during the Credi Vapt program. Paschoal, who is the general coordinator of Credi Vapt, points out that Credi PAI has financed infrastructure investments for the expansion or opening of small businesses. Sebrae-Go trains entrepreneurs in a business management course taught in their municipality. After training and approval by the responsible bodies, the funds are transferred directly to the entrepreneurs' suppliers, upon presentation of an invoice for the services and/or equipment acquired.

The segments that will benefit are those of various service providers, such as hairdressers, locksmiths, electricians, plumbers, tire repair shops, auto repair shops, street food vendors, clothing entrepreneurs and micro and small garment manufacturers, as well as fish farming, aquaculture and other small farmers.

(With information from the Sectoral Communication Department of Segplan)