EBRD providing new funds to support enterprises in Ukraine

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are providing new funds to support micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ukraine.

The EBRD will lend the hryvnia equivalent of €25 million to Ukrgasbank, a key local lender, for loans to local companies to upgrade their processes and equipment and to advance sound health and safety practices. At least 70 per cent of the loan will go to financing investments in green technologies.

Borrowers are eligible to receive grant incentives and technical assistance on successful investment projects, funded by the EU under its EU4Business initiative. The support is part of the EU4Business-EBRD credit line - a joint financing instrument designed to boost the competitiveness and export ambition of local businesses.

Investments in high standards and quality products will allow businesses to compete more successfully on both the local and international markets.

The EU4BusinessEBRD credit line programme is also available in Georgia and Moldova and has recently been extended to cover the entire Eastern Partnership region. Ukraine is a top-three investment destination for the EBRD. In the past two years alone, the Bank has committed €2 billion to the economy.

The EBRD finances infrastructure, energy efficiency and energy security, agricultural and industrial projects, as well as smaller businesses. The investments are combined with support for policies that promote a more enabling business environment.

Ukrgasbank is a universal bank in Ukraine operating a country-wide network of nearly 270 branches with over 4,500 employees, servicing more than 2 million individuals and 80 000 corporate and SME customers.

It is the fourth-largest bank in Ukraine by assets, with a 7 per cent market share. The bank focuses on financing projects that contribute to the efficient use of resources, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the development of renewable energy.

Ukrgasbank currently leads the financing of clean energy facilities in Ukraine.