Guarantees
The active 80% SFGS supports repayable facilities offered through participating lenders.
Grants
BUD and sector programmes reimburse eligible expenditure under their own matching and evidence rules.
Advisory help
SME ReachOut and official portals help companies identify schemes and application requirements.
Loans and grants solve different financing problems
SFGS supports repayable credit through participating lenders. BUD supports eligible project expenditure under approval, matching and evidence rules. A company may use both in a wider plan, but it should not treat a potential grant reimbursement as certain cash for monthly loan service.
Map the project by payment date. Grant-funded expenditure may need quotations, contracts, invoices, payment proof and later verification. A bank facility needs its own repayment source during the period before any reimbursement arrives.
Use official programme terms as the control copy
Consultants can help organise evidence, but scheme limits and eligibility should be checked against the responsible government body. Outdated consultant pages still refer to closed products or previous matching ratios, which can distort a budget before an application begins.
Write down the eligible entity, covered markets, project dates, matching contribution, cumulative cap and audit requirements. Then decide whether the administrative work is proportionate to the grant amount and business outcome.
Rates, limits and eligibility can change. Ask for a current written quote, repayment schedule and agreement. General information only.