Abstract: The feeding apparatus comprises a flat housing mounted on the component insertion apparatus in vertical orientation. The housing includes a guiding channel for guiding the supporting tape of the belt containing the components to be fed. The guiding channel comprises a channel portion running horizontally along the upper narrow edge of the housing and has a freely exposed component pick-up area.Driving means are provided for stepwise forwarding the belt through the guiding channel, said driving means mounted in the interior of the housing and including a driving motor.The driving motor has a drive shaft running parallel to the two lateral surfaces of the housing. First and a second power transmission means are fixed to the drive shaft and adapted to stepwise forward the belt containing the components, and to forward the cover tape when it is peeled off from the belt.