On December 14, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. For the first time, small businesses in the Vitebsk region have received state support in the form of preferential loans, Valentin Tsvetkov, Head of the Department for Entrepreneurship Development and Consumer Market of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, told BELTA correspondent. Preferential loans are issued in accordance with Decree No. 255 "On Certain Measures of State Support for Small Entrepreneurship," which stipulates that investment projects applying for state financial assistance must be aimed at the creation, development, and expansion of production of goods and services, the output of export-oriented, import-substituting, energy- and resource-saving products; and the implementation of new technologies. In this case, state financial support is provided to small businesses implementing investment projects for the purpose of acquiring equipment, special devices and accessories, and purchasing components, raw materials, and materials for their own production. The first recipients of the loans were three small enterprises: a car service, a travel agency, and a peasant farm. The total amount of assistance provided to them is estimated at Br1.1 billion. The funds were issued for three years at an interest rate equal to 0.5 of the refinancing rate plus two percentage points. As Valentin Tsvetkov emphasized, when selecting business plans for state support, it was taken into account that these are enterprises engaged in production and services, they create jobs, and will contribute to the development of the economy in small towns and rural areas. For example, the peasant farm "Zastarinye" from Beshenkovichi District intends to increase its pig herd from 400 to 600 heads and supply meat to processing enterprises in the region. In Shumilino, where a busy international highway passes, a modern car service will be opened. The travel agency "Ilva," known in Vitebsk as one of the most active companies developing inbound tourism, is preparing to open the first tourist salon in the republic. In accordance with the regional program for supporting entrepreneurship, Br5 billion is planned to be allocated for preferential lending to small businesses in 2012. When selecting loan recipients, the regional executive committee intends to give preference to producers of innovative and import-substituting products.