On 18 May, the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a €4 billion credit line (or programme loan) to help national authorities, cities, regions and local communities in all EU Member States address urgent investment needs and help welcome and integrate people fleeing the war against Ukraine.

The EIB pledged these funds back in April, at ‘Stand Up for Ukraine’, a global pledging campaign for Ukraine and its refugees, but board approval was required. The EU and Canada then raised €9.1, including €4 billion from the EIB and €1 billion from the European Commission.

The EIB credit line will help to provide this support by making financing available to the development of key infrastructure and services for refugees and host communities, such as housing, schools, hospitals and access to jobs. The financing can also cover eligible operational expenditures related to the supply of equipment, facilities and services for the integration of war refugees.

This financial package will be complemented by EIB advisory support thanks to the EMBRACE Advisory Platform, a new initiative by the EIB and the European Commission.

“All EU Member States can make use of this funding opportunity and bespoke advisory for projects that help refugees start a new life in their host countries,” said EIB President Werner Hoyer. “This initiative comes together with the €668 million support we gave in early March to the Government of Ukraine to cover their urgent liquidity needs; both are part of our Solidarity Package for Ukraine, which we set up together with the European Commission.”

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Press release

The European Investment Bank, the Bank of the European Union, will invest up to EUR 34 million in the expanding a high-speed internet network bringing fast and reliable internet services to some 500,000 Georgians living in 1000 rural and remote settlements in Georgia. The investment from the EU bank will finance the installation of 5000 km of fiber optics telecommunications network and provide open-access infrastructure for Georgian telecom operators to provide their fast-internet services. The EU has provided a guarantee through the External Lending Mandate.
This project supports improved digital connectivity as one of the five flagship initiatives for Georgia under the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership
This new EIB operation is a part of broader Team Europe efforts to support Georgia in digitalising, accelerating green and sustainable social and economic growth, and increasing nationwide resilience to natural disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, said: “Investing in the digital transition in Georgia is key to stimulate jobs and growth and bring about prosperity. Through the EU Economic and Investment Plan, we have already started to deliver real benefits on the ground. This flagship programme will assist in bringing new opportunities and reduce digital inequalities between rural and urban areas by developing high-speed broadband infrastructure for around 1,000 rural settlements. I consider this an important contribution to Georgia’s modernisation and economic development and recovery, while promoting digital inclusion in line with its national broadband strategy.”
Teresa Czerwinska, Vice President of the EIB, who is in charge of operations in Georgia, said: “Our investment in fast and reliable internet services for rural Georgia is more than another Team Europe investment to improve quality of life and doing business for Georgians. It supports digitalisation, the key to the long-term competitiveness of the Georgian economy and its sustainable and green development. Finally, this investment reinforces the recovery of the national economy from the pandemic. Together with Team Europe, EU4Digital the World Bank and the Government of Georgia, we are building modern infrastructure, a cornerstone for a modern and thriving Georgia. The EIB is proud to have contributed yet again towards this goal the whole of Team Europe shares with Georgia.”
Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia said: “One of the main priorities of the Government of Georgia is the development of the digital economy. The improvement of broadband infrastructure is of the utmost importance in this regard. With the support of our international partner institutions such as the European Union, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank, we are aiming for this goal. This aspiration is demonstrated by the “Rural Fibre Network Georgia” project financed by the European Investment Bank. As one of the flagship projects within the Eastern Partnership priorities, it will promote digital development of rural settlements, that will ultimately be reflected in their economic growth. In addition it is in full compliance with Georgia’s National Broadband Strategy and Government’s programme for 2021-2024. I would like to express my gratitude to the European Union for its continued support and willingness to provide assistance in supporting and advancing the priority sectors of Georgia“.

Press Release of EU

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has provided a €6 million loan to Terabank Georgia to support its local currency lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. 

The loan is part of the EIB’s SME Outreach Initiative, which promotes access to finance for MSMEs in Georgia by helping smaller banks in the country to offer tailor-made services and financial products to their clients.

Covered by a guarantee from the European Union, the EIB financing aims to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to contribute to an economic recovery that puts Georgia on a long-term sustainable growth track. As part of Team Europe, the EIB works hand in hand with other EU projects implemented in Georgia under the EU4Business brand.

MSMEs are the backbone of the Georgian economy, and access to finance is one of the major challenges they face. To date, the EIB has invested over €300 million in credit lines for Georgian businesses, sustaining more than 54,000 jobs in the country.

The material is prepared within the project "EU NEIGHBOURS east"

• The EU bank will extend Covid-measures to the existing credit line at the Liberty Bank for a total of €17.5 million, including a €2.5 million multi-currency top-up.
• Loan reinforces Team Europe support for the recovery of Georgian MSMEs from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as sustains jobs, maintains liquidity and operations, and fuels the economic recovery of Georgia.
• In 2020 alone, EIB provided  €70 million to support faster recovery of Georgian businesses from COVID-19 pandemic

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the lending arm of the European Union, and Liberty Bank agreed to expand an existing credit line for Georgian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with additional €2.5 million to a total of €17.5 million. With this signature, the EIBs total Covid-19 immediate response comprises additional lending exceeding € 70 million, and existing loans benefiting from Covid measures exceeding € 90 million.
 
The EIB loans inject fresh capital into the national financial market at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is burdening SMEs with liquidity issues and restricting their ability to access finance for maintaining daily operations or funding expansion plans.
 
The loan agreement was signed in presence Charles Michel, the President of the European Council.
 
Please find the video materials here: https://we.tl/t-HjPiBizZZK
 
EIB President Werner Hoyer, said: “Team Europe and the EIB will continue to build up our support for the Georgian MSMEs and fuel the economic and social recovery of the national economy from COVID-19. Last year alone we boosted Georgian recovery from COVID-19 with EUR 170 – 70 million in new lending for MSMES, and 100 million for the reinforcement of the national healthcare sector`s ability to deal with the pandemic. Today, the EIB increased both the amount and the attractiveness of our loans available to MSMEs, as this is the first loan the EU Bank provides to a counterpart in Georgia in local currency. We look forward maintaining our position as the trusted ally of the Republic of Georgia and a key source of support for sustainable social and economic development.”
 
CEO of Liberty Bank Vasil Khodeli commented: “I would like to thank EIB and the EU for their continuous support and the confidence they have shown in Liberty Bank. Thanks to the increased loan amount, Liberty Bank will unlock significant additional lending for MSMEs in Georgia. The coronavirus has hit MSMEs very hard and this facility will provide much needed support for our clients to overcome short-term liquidity shortages, maintain jobs and support economic recovery in the upcoming months. The additional multi-currency facility equivalent to GEL 10 million includes the possibility to make financing available in local currency, which provides us with greater flexibility to finance and support wider range of MSME businesses in Georgia. This is also a further sign of our commitment to help businesses of all sizes to get through the turbulent times.”

Further increasing affordability of EIB loans
 
The loan introduces the option to make funding available in synthetic lari, Georgia’s national currency, and increases the affordability of the loans for MSMEs. The expansion will help Georgian MSMEs sustain jobs, maintain liquidity to continue operations, and fuel the economic recovery of Georgia from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The investment from the EU bank forms part of the EIB’s SME Outreach Initiative, which promotes access to finance for MSMEs by supporting smaller local banks to better service their clients. MSMEs are the backbone of the Georgian economy and major employers in the country. The loan expansion comes with a €450,000 in technical assistance to support Liberty Bank improve and expand its offer for MSMEs.
 
Team Europe adds value for Georgian companies
 
Covered by a guarantee from the European Union, the loan from the EU bank will enable increase in lending activities to MSMEs without jeopardising the long-term stability of the country’s financial sector or its ability to support the economic recovery from the pandemic in the long term.
 
This credit line comes with increase attractiveness to SMEs benefiting from the more flexible lending terms enabled by the EIB’s COVID-19 emergency measures. These measures are extended as part of the Team Europe’s efforts to Georgia and other EU partner countries during the pandemic.
 
To date, the EU bank has invested more than €290 million in credit lines for Georgian businesses, sustaining more than 54,000 jobs in the country.
 
Background information
 
About the EIB:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.
 
The EIB in Georgia:
The EU Bank has been supporting economic and social development of Georgia since in 2007, providing to date some EUR 1.85 billion to local economy. The EU Bank activities in the country supported key infrastructure projects (EUR 1bn), MSMEs and mid-caps (EUR 290m), Municipal infrastructure (EUR 280m) and green energy generation projects (EUR 23.5m). COVID-19 recovery activities in 2020 totalled EUR 170m.
 
Georgia is among a few non-EU countries eligible to benefit from the European Investment Fund (EIF) operations, designed to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with risk-sharing instruments.  Today, the EIB Group portfolio of guarantees in Georgia cover EUR 382.9 million of SMEs loans.

The EIB finances most projects in Georgia under the EU External Lending Mandate. This provides the EIB with a guarantee covered by the EU budget for projects in the fields of social and economic infrastructure, local private sector development and climate action. Projects may also benefit from EU grants made available under the DCFTA program funded by the NIP, which amongst others promotes EIB’s efforts to make funding available in local currency.
 
About JSC Liberty Bank:

Liberty Bank is one of the largest Banks in Georgia, with total Assets of over GEL 2 bln and Capital GEL 200 mln. The Bank operates the largest branch network comprised of over 360 branches and 570 ATMs. The Bank is the exclusive agent of the Government of Georgia for the distribution of pensions and social benefits. The Bank employs over 4600 employees serving over 1.7 mln customers. 

For more information on the EIB’s activities in Georgia please follow: https://www.eib.org/en/publications/the-european-investment-bank-in-georgia

Source: The EU Press Release

The European Investment Bank /EIB/ will provide €10 million to the ProCredit Group to offer a new credit line for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcaps.

The EU bank and ProCredit create a €10 million credit line for the recovery of SMEs and midcaps from the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia.
EIB and ProCredit Group agree on similar credit lines in Ukraine (€25 million) and Moldova (€20 million), bringing the total support to companies to €55 million.
The operation is part of the Team Europe’s COVID-19 emergency response to help sustain jobs, maintain liquidity and operations, and fuel the economic recovery of the EU partner countries.
The European Investment Bank, the lending arm of the European Union, will provide €10 million to the ProCredit Group to offer a new credit line for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcaps in Georgia and support their faster recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit line can be made available in multiple currencies, including in the local currency.

The investment is a part of a €55 million regional agreement with the ProCredit, which allows creation of similar credit lines at ProCredit Group in Ukraine (€25 million) and Moldova (€20 million), all in support of faster economic COVID-19 recovery of the EU partner countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood.

This transaction provides much-needed financing to companies in Georgia to address working capital issues created by the ongoing pandemic. The EIB loan also strengthens the national banking sector in Georgia and reinforces its ability to finance the economic recovery of the country.

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is in charge of operations in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, said: “Team Europe continues to support economic recovery of EU partner countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood from COVID-19, reinforcing pan-European solidarity in these difficult times. We have thus created new sources of financing at a moment when such aid is crucial for the survival of our SMEs. We look forward to expanding our partnership in the future, so as to allow even more companies benefit from our shared dedication to support SMEs and midcaps grow and develop.

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said: The EU stands by Georgia during the pandemic. The EU has mobilised an unprecedented GEL 1.5 billion COVID-19 support package for Georgia, of which economic recovery of businesses is a fundamental part. This top-up by the EU bank strengthens this component by providing more assistance via local Georgian banks. Thanks to this agreement, an additional number of Georgian small and medium businesses will be able to access finance to get them through these challenging times.

The management of ProCredit Holding AG & Co. KGaA, the parent company of the ProCredit group, said:
“Thanks to the well-established relationships with our clients and partners such as the EIB, we have been able to provide efficient support to numerous SMEs during these turbulent months. These EIB credit lines will support SMEs in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to overcome short-term liquidity shortages and will provide much-needed support in local currencies for their investment projects. We expect that this will open them up to new lines of business and opportunities and thus will support economic recovery in the coming years. We are confident that this will be stimulated by a structural shift towards investments that are climate-friendly as well as socially and ecologically sustainable.”

Team Europe: Strengthening pan-European solidarity in times of crisis

The EIB investment is a part of Team Europe’s overall response to COVID-19 and supports the sustainable social and economic recovery of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood. The operation reinforces both SMEs and mid-caps, which are the backbone of national economies and a major source of employment in three countries.

Covered by guarantees from the European Union, the EIB investment enables the ProCredit Group to increase its lending activities without jeopardising the long-term stability of the local financial sectors or their ability to support the economic recovery from the pandemic in the long term.

The credit lines will be even more attractive due to the more flexible terms enabled by the EIB’s COVID-19 emergency measures. These emergency measures are a part of Team Europe’s efforts to support partner countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood during the pandemic.

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• The EIB will top up its existing credit line at the Bank of Georgia €25 million to a total of €75 million to support the recovery of Georgian SMEs from the pandemic, extending coverage to include mid-caps.
• The operation is part of the Team Europe’s COVID-19 emergency response to help sustain jobs, maintain liquidity and operations, and fuel the economic recovery of Georgia.
• Since 2007, the EU bank has invested close to €2 billion in all key sectors of the Georgian economy, including connectivity, healthcare and SMEs.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the lending arm of the European Union, will invest €25 million to expand a credit line for Georgian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps available at the Bank of Georgia, helping to accelerate the recovery of the national economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit line can be disbursed in multiple currencies, including in lari, Georgia’s national currency. 

The EIB loan will inject fresh capital into the national economy at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is burdening SMEs with liquidity issues and restricting their ability to access finance and maintain daily operations or fund expansion plans. 

The investment from the EU bank will reinforce SMEs and mid-caps, which are the backbone of the Georgian economy and major employers in the country, and the country’s financial sector, boosting their ability to drive the economic recovery from the pandemic.

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is in charge of operations in Georgia, said: “As the bank of the European Union, we are proud to be bolstering Georgia and its economy in this hour of need, no matter how difficult the situation is. The EIB financing will support both Georgian SMEs and the country’s financial sector so that they can continue to operate despite the pandemic and drive the Georgian economy forward. This means we will save jobs, incomes and revenues. Together with our partners in the country’s public and private sector, we look forward to building a prosperous and sustainable future for Georgia.”

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said: The EU stands by Georgia during the pandemic.  The EU has mobilised an unprecedented GEL 1.5 billion COVID-19 support package for Georgia, of which economic recovery of businesses is a fundamental part.  This top-up by the EU bank strengthens this component by providing more assistance via local Georgian banks. Thanks to this agreement, an additional number of Georgian small and medium businesses will be able to access finance to get them through these challenging times.

Bank of Georgia CEO Archil Gachechiladze commented: “I am very glad to see that our very successful partnership with the EIB is continuing. The multi-currency long-term facility gives us flexibility to utilise the funds according to the currency and maturity needs of our SME and mid-cap clients. Such facilities are key for the private sector, especially during these challenging times, and this further strengthens our position as a leading provider of long-term financial resources on the market. I would like to thank the EIB for its cooperation with us and look forward to many more successful deals in the future.”

Team Europe adds value for Georgian companies

Covered by a guarantee from the European Union, the loan from the EU bank will enable the Bank of Georgia to increase its lending activities without jeopardising the long-term stability of the country’s financial sector or its ability to support the economic recovery from the pandemic in the long term.

The credit line is even more attractive due to the more flexible terms enabled by the EIB’s COVID-19 emergency measures, extended as part of the Team Europe’s efforts to support partner countries such as Georgia during the pandemic.

This is the third operation between the EIB and the Bank of Georgia supporting the country’s SMEs and mid-caps. To date, the EU bank has invested more than €330 million in credit lines for Georgian SMEs and mid-caps, sustaining more than 54 000 jobs in the country.

Source: https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2020-367-team-europe-eib-and-bank-of-georgia-expand-credit-line-for-smes-and-mid-caps-with-eur25-million-to-aid-recovery-from-covid-19-pandemic

European Investment Bank (EIB) presented two new business innovation programmes at a conference in Tbilisi. The new “’DCFTA Initiative East” and “EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020: InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators” programmes were developed jointly with the European Commission and will boost the development of the private sector in Georgia. Around 200 representatives of business, banks, microfinance institutions, financial advisors and industry associations, as well as high-level representatives of the European Union and the Georgian Government, were present at the conference to discuss support for economic growth and employment.
The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) Initiative East aims to strengthen economic development in the countries which have signed an association agreement with the EU – namely Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – by providing financial and technical support targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the three countries.
"InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators" consists of a series of integrated and complementary financing tools and advisory services offered by the EIB Group, covering the entire value chain of research and innovation in order to support investment.
In February 2017, the European Investment Fund and ProCredit Bank JSC (Georgia) signed the first agreement for SMEs in Georgia under InnovFin. The agreement is expected to enable ProCredit to provide EUR 50 million in loans to innovative companies over the next two years.
H.E. Janos Herman, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, stated: "These programmes are another proof that the European Union is committed to supporting the development of Georgian SMEs. In close cooperation with the European Investment Bank, we provide tangible support to innovative businesses that seek to take advantage of the new opportunities with the EU."

European Investment Bank (EIB) will allocate 450 million Euros to Georgia for the development of road infrastructure, agriculture as a sector and production in agriculture at large. It was noted at the meeting of Mr. Jan Vapaavuori, Vice President of EIB with H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia today.
According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, funding from EIB is of particular significance inter alia for the spatial planning and large infrastructure projects being the key directions of the Four Point Plan of the Government of Georgia (GOG).
Vice President of EIB focused on the great importance of the funding and noted that it will advance the living standards in the country and boost the competitiveness of Georgia.
Discussions were also related to investment projects, currently implemented in the country with EIB support. In the opinion of the Prime Minister of Georgia, presence of the Regional Office of EIB is highly commendable in the country, as it promotes investments and mutual cooperation.
Financing Agreements on the allocation of resources by EIB to Georgia were signed after the meeting. Signatories were Mr. Jan Vapaavuori, Vice President of EIB and H.E. Dimitry Kumsishvili, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Georgia.
EIB will thus allocate 250 million Euros for the construction of new roads and rehabilitation of the existing priority routs; 100 million Euros will be disbursed for the rehabilitation and upgrade of municipal infrastructure and another 100 million Euros - for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in agriculture and food production under the referred concessional long-term lending.

Georgia is the most economically and politically stable country in the region – this statement was made by the Vice President of EIB Laszlo Baranyay at the meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
According to him, European Investment Bank plans to double investment in Georgia in next year. The sides highlighted implementing projects financed by EIB. Giorgi Kvirikashvili presented 4 level plan to the representatives of European Investment Bank and talked about the importance of projects in Georgia.

In terms of the economy and politics, Georgia is the most stable country in the region, - Vice President of the European Investment Bank (The EIB) Laszlo Baranyay noted during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili. According to Laszlo Baranyay the EIB intend to double its financial exposure in Georgia throughout the next few years.
Conversation during the meeting held at the Administration of the Government of Georgia touched upon the infrastructural projects funded by the EIB and prospects of cooperation.
The head of the Government presented the Government's four-point reform plan. Particular attention was paid to the ways of implementation of the infrastructural projects and the importance of the EIB support in this area was highlighted.
According to Laszlo Baranyay, the EIB actively support the reform course of the Government and plans on expanding cooperation.
"We discussed the ongoing issues with the Prime Minister. I believe that Georgian people are well aware of the active cooperation between the EIB and Georgia as well as with EIB's partnership with its economic representatives in both public and private sectors. As of today the amount of our investments is over 700 million EU, and we plan to increase this exposure in the coming 2-3 years. Our activities cover following economic and infrastructural areas, including support of SMEs and cooperation with several Georgian banks. Of course, we intend to intensify our activities, since your country has respective potential and relevant conditions. We discussed various methods of intensification of the cooperation, including in the area of education and social infrastructure. Our cooperation is very good and I hope that it will deepen in the near future," - stated the Vice President of the EIB after the meeting.