EBRD Backs OTP Bank Moldova with New Facility to Strengthen SME Competitiveness and EU Alignment

EBRD Backs OTP Bank Moldova with New Facility to Strengthen SME Competitiveness and EU Alignment

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD, in cooperation with the European Union, is providing a €10 million financing package to OTP Bank Moldova under the EU4Business–EBRD Credit Line to support lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The programme will help Moldovan businesses modernise operations, adopt EU standards and improve competitiveness, while benefiting from EU-funded technical assistance and grants. Building on OTP Bank Moldova’s strong track record in MSME and green financing, the initiative reinforces Moldova’s economic resilience and strengthens its integration with European Union markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 17-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a €10 million financing package for OTP Bank Moldova to expand access to funding for businesses across the country, in partnership with the European Union. The initiative is being delivered under the EU4Business–EBRD Credit Line and is designed to support Moldova’s economic resilience while strengthening the integration of local enterprises into European Union markets.

The new financing will be directed toward micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to invest in modern equipment and technologies, raise operational and quality standards, and improve their competitiveness both domestically and internationally. By encouraging alignment with European directives, the programme supports sustainable business growth and promotes innovation across key sectors of the Moldovan economy.

The EU4Business–EBRD Credit Line combines loans with EU-funded technical assistance and investment grants, helping eligible companies implement projects that enhance productivity and capacity. The programme operates across several Eastern Partnership countries, including Moldova, and forms part of the European Union’s broader EU4Business initiative, which brings together EU support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

OTP Bank Moldova has an established track record in deploying EU4Business–EBRD financing. Since 2016, the bank has channelled approximately €70 million in loans to local businesses, supporting modernisation efforts and the adoption of international best practices. Notably, at least 70 percent of these investments have focused on green projects, such as energy efficiency improvements and environmentally sustainable technologies.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in Moldova’s economy, representing around 98 percent of all businesses and providing employment for roughly 60 percent of the workforce. Expanding access to finance for this segment is therefore central to supporting long-term, inclusive economic growth.

OTP Bank is one of Moldova’s systemically important banks and has extensive experience in implementing EBRD-supported initiatives, including trade finance, energy efficiency programmes and MSME lending facilities. The EBRD has partnered with OTP Bank since 1996. As Moldova’s largest institutional investor, the EBRD has invested nearly €2.9 billion in 188 projects in the country, with a significant share of its portfolio dedicated to sustainable infrastructure.

Media Contact:

Vanora Bennett
Email: media@ebrd.com 

SOURCE: EBRD