Decree 260/2026/ND-CP detailing and implementing measures of a number of articles of the Law on High Technology officially takes effect from July 1, 2026. In which, the interest rate support policy for strategic technology research and development enterprises is one of the notable contents.
According to Clause 7, Article 5 of this Decree, enterprises carrying out scientific research, technology development and strategic technology innovation activities may be supported with loan interest rates from the National Technology Innovation Fund - NATIF and the science, technology and innovation development fund of ministries, branches, and localities.
The support level is determined by 100% of the loan interest rate recorded in the credit contract between the business and the credit institution, but not exceeding 10%/year. The maximum support period is 5 years.
It's not like just borrowing from a bank is completely free of interest
The "100% interest rate support" regulation does not mean that all businesses operating in the technology sector are naturally lent by banks at 0% interest rates.
First of all, the policy only applies to enterprises conducting scientific research, technology development and innovation belonging to strategic technology groups according to the issued list. The support amount is also not automatically deducted by the bank but must be implemented through the interest rate support task of the NATIF Fund or funds of ministries, branches, and localities.
The 100% level is also limited by a ceiling of 10%/year. For example, if a credit contract has an interest rate of 8%/year, businesses may be considered for full interest rate support. If the loan interest rate is 12%/year, the maximum support level is only 10%/year, businesses still have to pay the rest themselves.
This is an illustrative calculation method according to the ceiling level of the Decree; the actual support level also depends on whether the enterprise meets the conditions, is approved for tasks, and the resource allocation capacity of each fund.
More support for taxes, human resources and intellectual property
In addition to interest rate support, strategic technology research and development organizations and businesses also enjoy another group of preferential policies.
For strategic technology development tasks ordered by the State, enterprises can be supported with a maximum of 100% of funding from the NAFOSTED Fund or funds of ministries, branches, and localities. Enterprises are also prioritized for controlled testing of new technologies, products and business models; prioritized use of national key research, testing and laboratory centers.
Machinery, equipment, spare parts and specialized materials directly serving research and development of strategic technology are exempt from import tax according to regulations. The State also supports a maximum of 100% of training costs, human resource development and consulting costs for building dossiers for registration of intellectual property rights in the country and abroad.
The cost of inspection, testing, and certification of domestic strategic technology products is supported once, up to 100%; in case of implementation abroad, the maximum support level is 70%.
Thus, the new policy can significantly reduce capital costs and research costs for businesses. However, this is a conditional support mechanism through tasks and funds, not a mass interest-free program for all bank loans.
