EU4Business: EBRD and EU offer funds for businesses in the Republic of Moldova

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are releasing new funds to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Moldova. A 15 million EUR EBRD loan to Mobiasbanca – OTP Group will be on-lent 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 is aimed at financing investments in green technologies.

For successful investment projects, borrowers are eligible to receive grant incentives and technical assistance, funded by the EU under its EU4Business initiative.

This support is part of the EU4Business-EBRD credit line – a joint financing instrument designed to boost the competitiveness of local businesses and support their export ambitions.

Investments in high standards and high-quality products will allow businesses to compete more successfully both on local and international markets. In addition to its presence in Moldova, the EU4Business-EBRD credit line programme is available in Georgia and Ukraine and has recently been extended to cover the entire Eastern Partnership region.

Support for SMEs remains at the core of EU assistance provided to Moldova. Currently, there are approximately 30 SME-focused programmes under the EU4Business initiative, financed or co-financed by the European Union, providing financial support (loans, grants and guarantee schemes) and business advice (training, coaching and international partner-matching schemes) or a combination of both.

The EBRD is one of the largest institutional investors in Moldova. To date, it has invested around 1.4 billion EUR in more than 143 projects in the country to support private businesses and key infrastructure and to build a greener and more sustainable economy.