Tag Archives: SMEs

EBRD Partners with NLB Komercijalna Banka to Boost Financing for Serbian SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has initiated a collaboration with NLB Komercijalna Banka (NLBKBB) in Serbia, providing a €15 million loan to support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). NLBKBB will utilize the loan to … Read the full press release

EIF and 123 IM Partner to Boost Sustainable Financing for French SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF), supported by the InvestEU programme, has entered a portfolio guarantee agreement of €10.5 million with 123 Investment Managers (123 IM) to facilitate up to €15 million in new financing for small businesses and … Read the full press release

Finnvera Introduces Bill of Exchange Financing for Finnish Export Transactions

(IN BRIEF) Finnvera, in collaboration with its subsidiary Finnish Export Credit Ltd, launches bill of exchange financing for Finnish exporters engaged in long-term export transactions, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This financing solution complements the Export Credit introduced … Read the full press release

EIF and France Active Forge €400 Million Alliance to Empower Social Enterprises

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) has committed €400 million to bolster France Active’s endeavors in financing socially responsible French enterprises. This collaboration involves a €45 million guarantee from EIF and a €355 million counter-guarantee for bank loans facilitated … Read the full press release

EBRD Secures €8 Million Loan to Empower Women-Led Businesses in Georgia

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from the European Union (EU) and Sweden, is extending an €8 million loan to ProCredit Bank in Georgia to boost lending to women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises … Read the full press release

EIB and Banca Ifis Partner to Bolster Innovation in Italy’s SMEs with €300 Million Financing

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banca Ifis have inked a significant agreement, marking the EIB’s maiden loan operation with an Italian bank exclusively aimed at driving innovative transitions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The deal, valued … Read the full press release

European Investment Bank and Housing Finance Bank Collaborate to Boost Women Entrepreneurship in Uganda

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Uganda’s Housing Finance Bank (HFB) have joined forces to provide a €50 million investment aimed at supporting private sector entities, particularly SMEs, in Uganda. With a special focus on gender inclusion, at … Read the full press release

NIB Partners with Nooa Savings Bank to Provide EUR 10 Million Loan for Finnish SMEs

(IN BRIEF) NIB and Nooa Savings Bank Ltd have entered into a EUR 10 million loan agreement aimed at financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Finland. The seven-year maturity loan will support Nooa Savings Bank’s strategic objectives of growing … Read the full press release

Euronext Expands ELITE Program, Welcoming Six Portuguese Companies for Sustainable Growth

(IN BRIEF) Euronext, Europe’s leading market infrastructure, has expanded its ELITE ecosystem into Portugal, ushering in six diverse companies into the program. These companies, spanning sectors such as healthcare, technology, food, and manufacturing, collectively generate over 200 million Euros in … Read the full press release

EIB and CERUDEB Launch €100 Million Initiative to Empower Women Entrepreneurs and Rural Enterprises in Uganda

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Centenary Rural Development Bank Ltd (CERUDEB) have unveiled a landmark €100 million investment aimed at bolstering private sector enterprises in Uganda, particularly focusing on women borrowers and rural microenterprises. With 50% of … Read the full press release

Swisscom Launches Enterprise Mobile: Enhanced Subscriptions for SMEs with Microsoft Teams Integration

(IN BRIEF) Swisscom introduces Enterprise Mobile, a tailored mobile subscription service designed to cater to the diverse needs of Swiss SMEs. With premium data speeds of up to 2 Gbit/s and unlimited data options, businesses can enjoy seamless connectivity and … Read the full press release

EIB Boosts Bulgarian Economy with €291 Million Financing and Advisory Support

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF) have forged agreements with Bulgarian partners, including Allianz Bank Bulgaria (ABB) and United Bulgarian Bank (UBB), to enhance the country’s economy and advance its transition to carbon neutrality. … Read the full press release

EIF and BT Microfinantare IFN Expand InvestEU Microfinance Guarantee for Romanian Entrepreneurs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF) and BT Microfinantare IFN (BT Mic) have reinforced their commitment to the InvestEU Microfinance, Social and Skills Guarantee Product, aiming to provide financial support to 10,000 microenterprises across various sectors, including agriculture, in … Read the full press release

EBRD and Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan Finance Expansion of Atakent Business Hub in Almaty

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) collaborates with Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan (SBK) to support the expansion of Kazakhstan’s prominent conference hub, the Atakent Business Cooperation Centre in Almaty. Through a KZT 3 billion (US$ 6.6 million) … Read the full press release

Vodafone Business and vcita Partner to Empower SMEs with Productivity App

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone Business collaborates with vcita, a leading business management software provider, to introduce the Vodafone Business Management tool with vcita. Aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the app offers an affordable and secure solution to enhance productivity, … Read the full press release

EIB Injects €143 Million to Bolster Greek Research & Innovation; 2023 Annual Results Showcase Record Investment in Greece

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged a substantial €143 million loan to boost the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI), fortifying research and development (R&D) initiatives across Greece’s public higher education institutions and research centers. This … Read the full press release

EIB Group Expands Baltic Presence with New Offices in Riga and Tallinn

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has announced plans to establish local offices in Riga, Latvia, and Tallinn, Estonia, aiming to bolster its support for regional projects and investments. This move signifies a deeper commitment to the Latvian … Read the full press release

EIB Group Investment in Czechia Spurs Greener Infrastructure, Boosts Small Businesses, and Drives Innovation

(IN BRIEF) In 2023, the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) made significant investments totaling €1.88 billion in the Czech Republic, focusing on initiatives to enhance regional development, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability. The largest loan, amounting to €985 million, … Read the full press release

InvestEU Programme and EIF Join Forces to Boost Social Enterprises and Creative Sector in Catalonia

(IN BRIEF) With support from the InvestEU programme, the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Catalan Finance Institute (ICF) have entered into a capped portfolio guarantee agreement to leverage €64 million in financing for social enterprises and entities in the … Read the full press release

NatWest and Beauhurst Startup Index Reveals Record Year for UK Entrepreneurship in 2023

(IN BRIEF) The NatWest and Beauhurst Startup Index released today unveils a landmark year for entrepreneurship in the UK, with over 900,000 new companies incorporated, marking a record high. Despite economic challenges such as inflation and operational costs, the surge … Read the full press release

EIB Group and Deutsche Leasing Romania Forge €335 Million Agreement to Boost Small Business Financing and Climate Action

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) collaborates with Deutsche Leasing Romania IFN SA (DLRO) to finalize a synthetic securitization transaction worth €335 million, aimed at mitigating credit risk and enhancing lending capacity for DLRO, which in turn … Read the full press release

EIB Global’s €1.2 Billion Injection Energizes Western Balkans’ Future

(IN BRIEF) EIB Global, the financing arm of the European Investment Bank outside the EU, set a milestone by investing €1.2 billion in the Western Balkans in 2023, aiming to catalyze over €6 billion in new investments. The funds are … Read the full press release

EIB Group’s Strong Growth in France: €12 Billion Investment Spurred by Climate Action, Innovation, and Sustainable Infrastructure

(IN BRIEF) In 2023, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group experienced robust growth in France, providing nearly €12 billion in long-term financing to the private sector and local and regional authorities. This included €10.6 billion from the EIB and €1.4 … Read the full press release

European Investment Bank Pours €1.26 Billion into Austria for Renewable Energy, Water Supply, and Housing Projects in 2023

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group in Austria has revealed its commitment to financing projects focused on renewable energies, water supply, and social housing in 2023, with a total investment of €1.26 billion. Despite an initial cautious approach … Read the full press release

EIF Signs €2 Billion Guarantee Agreements to Boost SMEs and Green Transition in Bulgaria

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund (EIF), a part of the European Investment Bank Group, has inked guarantee agreements with four Bulgarian banks, including Postbank (Eurobank Bulgaria), ProCredit Bank Bulgaria, UniCredit Bulbank, and United Bulgarian Bank, facilitating up to €2 … Read the full press release

Central Asian Entrepreneurs Embrace Green Initiatives with EBRD Support

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is actively supporting sustainability and green initiatives in Central Asia, empowering local entrepreneurs to transition to eco-friendly operations. One notable example is the Bel-Tam yurt camp in Kyrgyz Republic, which, … Read the full press release

ABN AMRO Secures €250 Million Financing from EIB to Boost Sustainable Investments for Dutch Businesses

(IN BRIEF) ABN AMRO has successfully secured €250 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which will be matched by the bank itself, resulting in a total of €500 million in new loans available to Dutch businesses. This … Read the full press release

European Commission, EIB, and ESA Collaborate to Boost European Space Sector

(IN BRIEF) In a significant move, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a collaboration arrangement to strengthen the European space sector, with a particular focus on small and medium businesses … Read the full press release

Georgia’s Food Alliance Flourishes with EBRD and EU Support

(IN BRIEF) Food Alliance, a Georgian frozen pastry producer, has received support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) through the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line in Georgia since 2017. This assistance includes modern equipment, … Read the full press release

EIB Group Signs PLN 2 Billion Securitisation Agreement with EFL to Support Polish SMEs and Sustainable Projects

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) has entered into a revolving synthetic securitisation agreement with Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy S.A. (EFL) for a PLN 2 billion portfolio of leasing receivables. EFL commits to provide PLN 2.5 billion in … Read the full press release

Vodafone to Invest $1.5 Billion in Cloud and AI Services in Collaboration with Microsoft

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone and Microsoft have announced a 10-year strategic partnership aimed at transforming customer experiences and fostering business growth in Europe and Africa. The collaboration includes leveraging Microsoft’s generative AI to enhance customer engagement, expanding Vodafone’s IoT platform, creating … Read the full press release

Groupe BPCE and EIB Join Forces to Provide €300 Million for Green Transition of SMEs and Mid-Caps

(IN BRIEF) Groupe BPCE and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have collaborated to offer a €300 million package aimed at facilitating the green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies. This partnership enables Groupe BPCE to provide … Read the full press release

EBRD Partners with Bank Eskhata to Bolster Tajik Businesses with $5 Million Loans

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is collaborating with Tajikistan’s largest private lender, Bank Eskhata, to enhance the sustainability of Tajik businesses. Under their risk-sharing agreement, EBRD will share half the risk on two loans totaling … Read the full press release

EBRD Supports Turkish Metal Casting Company Kutes in Transition to Sustainable Energy with Risk-Sharing Agreement

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is partnering with Türkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi (TSKB), a development bank, to support Kutes, a prominent Turkish metal casting company, in its shift toward sustainable energy practices. TSKB is providing … Read the full press release

EIB and Pekao Leasing Strengthen Collaboration with €68 Million Agreement to Boost Sustainable Growth in Poland

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Pekao Leasing, a subsidiary of Bank Pekao S.A., have formalized an agreement worth €68 million, reinforcing their long-standing partnership. This loan from the EIB will empower Pekao Leasing to offer new financing … Read the full press release

EIB Provides €10 Million Loan to Boost Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs in Mozambique

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €10 million loan agreement to support women entrepreneurs in Mozambique. This financing will facilitate a new €20 million facility by Moza Banco, focusing on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in … Read the full press release

EIB’s Financing Initiatives in the Western Balkans Drive Job Growth and Investment, New Study Reveals

(IN BRIEF) A recent study, titled “The impact of the EIB’s intermediated lending to businesses in the Western Balkans,” assesses the effect of the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) intermediated lending on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, … Read the full press release

NIB and Landsbankinn Sign USD 75 Million Loan Program to Boost SMEs and Environmental Projects in Iceland

(IN BRIEF) The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Icelandic bank Landsbankinn hf. have entered into a new seven-year USD 75 million loan program aimed at financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and environmental initiatives in Iceland. The program will provide … Read the full press release

European Investment Fund Joins Bürgschaftsbank for €200 Million SME Financing Boost in Germany

(IN BRIEF) Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg (BBBW) and Bürgschaftsbank Nordrhein-Westfalen (BBNRW) are expanding their guarantee support for regional financial institutions aiming to provide financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German states of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. The European Investment … Read the full press release

EU Investment Bank Commits €25 Million to Boost Ukrainian Tech and SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB), managing the EU for Ukraine Fund, held its initial Contributors’ Committee meeting and approved its first project financing of €25 million for Ukraine’s equity growth fund, Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV (HCGF IV), … Read the full press release