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Project export

Nopef may participate with up to 40% of the approved feasibility study costs in connection with project export.

The loan is repaid to Nopef if the delivery is secured. The loan may be converted into a grant in the event that the delivery is not realised.

Qualified applications

Which companies are eligible for Nopef loans?

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees and a turnover less than 100 MEUR are welcome to apply. When considering eligibility group affiliation counts when shareholdings exceed 50%.

  • Enterprises operational in the Nordic countries may apply for loans from Nopef.

  • Companies that have experience in the same business area as the project.

  • Companies that have sufficient financial and human resources relative to the size of the project.

  • Companies that have been operational for at least one year

  • Companies that are not already operational in the project country. But if Nopef considers the new business set up not to benefit from the company's current activities in the project country exceptions to the above rule can be made.

Which projects can be granted a Nopef loan?

  • The export project must be of a special nature and directed at an unknown market that requires a feasibility study before the tender phase.

  • The project must have a designated client and a Letter of Intent is required.

  • The delivery may be made by a consortium with a designated project coordinator, but the project must be shown to contain a risk for the applying company.

  • Typical examples include the delivery of client-specific systems, software, equipment etc. to a private or public client, often in connection with an international tender.

  • Nordic advantage and Nordic business interest must be present in the project - the more the better.

  • The project location is in Nopef's operational region (in Bulgaria, Rumania or a country outside the EU and EFTA).

  • Please note that loans are NOT granted for normal, running exports.

Loan conditions

Reporting
The recipient of the loan has an obligation to present a written project status report every six months. Read more

Payments
The loan is disbursed against realised feasibility study costs incurred by the recipient company and certified by an auditor. Read more

Pre-feasibility study costs
Nopef can cover 40% of approved feasibility study costs

Costs that Nopef may cover

  • Internal/external salaries
  • Travel, accommodation, transport in the target country
  • Legal and financial consulting
  • External consultants
  • Risk and cost-benefit studies
  • Translation work and interpreters
  • Drafting a business plan for approval
  • Business partner evaluation

Costs that Nopef may NOT cover:

  • Running costs
  • Marketing or marketing material
  • Research and development (R&D) or various kinds of tests
  • General market research without a definite connection to the business set up/ project export
  • Inventories or equipment
  • Finding an agent or distributor
  • Training or education