HDB-EPWCF GUARANTEE FUND

SMEs, including self-employed professionals, are eligible provided that they meet the following criteria:

• They have undertaken to execute works and/or studies or technical and other related scientific services of public interest.
• They are active in the following sectors: 

A) Architects and engineers and related activities for the provision of technical advice (KAD 71.1), other than studies and supervision services provided by naval architects (KAD 71.12.19.12).
B) Technical testing and analysis services (KAD 71.2), other than Inspection and other testing services for ships (KAD 71.20.19.05) 
C) Building construction (KAD 41)
D) Civil engineer works (KAD 42)
Ε) Specialized construction activities (KAD 43) other than alarm installation services for properties (fire, anti-theft systems, etc.) (KAD 43.21.10.05), telecommunications cabling and network installation services (KAD 43.21.10.06), repair and maintenance services for lifts (KAD 43.29.19.02), repair and maintenance services for escalators and moving walkways (KAD 43.29.19.03), installation services for escalators and moving walkways (KAD 43.29.19.04), installation, repair and maintenance services for revolving and automatic doors (KAD 43.29.19.05), plastic coating services for swimming pool tanks, etc. (KAD 43.99.90.08).
F) Research and experimental development in the natural sciences and engineering (KAD 72.1)

• They do not carry out Non-Eligible Activities as such are set out in detail here.
• As of 31/12/2019, they were not in financial distress as defined in article 2.18 of Regulation (EU) 651/2014. 
  In the case of Micro and Small businesses, regardless of whether they were in financial distress as of 31.12.2019, on condition that they are not subject to collective insolvency proceedings under national law and that they have not received rescue or restructuring aid. Alternatively, if they have received rescue aid, on the condition that they have repaid the loan or terminated the guarantee agreement at the time of submission of the financing request herein, or, if they have received restructuring aid, they are no longer subject to a restructuring plan at the time of submission of the financing request herein. Those businesses, regardless of size, which have taken corrective actions before the submission of a financing request herein, are excluded even if they were in financial distress as of 31.12.2019.
• They have been established by the time they submit their financing request herein to the bank.
• They are deemed acceptable in terms of credit standing, in line with the bank's applicable credit policy and internal procedures.
• They are solvent (including businesses with outstanding debts that are less than 90 dpd) as of the date the financing request is submitted to the bank.
• If they have been included in any HDB (former ETEAN) financing programs that have expired or are still in effect and have not demonstrated adverse transaction behavior as regards repayment of their dues (loan termination or debts that are over 90 dpd), or have demonstrated adverse transaction behavior (loan termination) but have repaid their debts in full before submission of the financing request or, in the case of a guarantee program, the amount of the guarantee has not been paid by the HDB or if the said debt has been verified with the competent Tax Office, and such debt has been included in a rescheduling program which continues to be in force on the date the financing request is submitted.
• Exclusion criteria do not apply, as per Article 40 of Law 4488/2017 (Government Gazette Α137/13.9.2017). 
• No aid-funding claw-back order is pending under a previous decision of the EU Committee or the European Court, by which the said funding has been declared illegal and incompatible.

To evidence this criterion, the business must provide a valid agreement assigning public works, studies or technical and other related scientific services, in which the same is the contractor, while the contracting authority is subject to the Public Procurement law governing the agreement. 

In the case of subcontracting, the business must submit a valid agreement or private contract to evidence its association with the implementation of a Public Procurement and the agreement by which a public project, study, or technical and other related scientific services is awarded.

It should be noted that:

• To confirm that the contract for public works, studies or technical and other related scientific services provided by the business is currently "in force", a solemn declaration stating that the contract has not been completed (i.e. a Contract of Completion has not been issued) shall be obtained.
• "Public procurements" and" contracts for works, studies, services and supplies" are contracts as defined in Law 4412/2016 or Law 4782/2021 or Law 3316/2005, provided that the respective law on public procurements was in force at the time they were signed.