BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 5. The European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched today the InvestEU
Guarantee Facility in Croatia, marking a significant milestone in
mobilizing sustainable private and public investment across the
country, Trend
reports via EBRD’s latest reports.
InvestEU is a flagship initiative of the European Union aimed at
supporting strategic investments in sustainable infrastructure,
research, innovation, digitalization, small and medium-sized
businesses, and social investment and skills. It offers a safety
net to tap into funding that might be out of reach, zeroing in on
initiatives that foster sustainable growth and fortitude.
EBRD is one of the leading implementing partners of the InvestEU
Program and deploys portfolio risk-sharing instruments for
financial intermediaries across the EU economies where it invests.
By working with local financial institutions and market players, it
ensures that InvestEU support is delivered efficiently and aligned
with regional needs and opportunities.
In Croatia, the EBRD launches portfolio guarantee products for
local banks to finance a wide range of borrowers — from private
individuals and homeowners’ associations to large corporate
clients. This facility will enhance access to finance, particularly
for green projects, such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable
energy development, and sustainable transport.
Under InvestEU, the EBRD offers risk-sharing guarantees and
technical support to local financial institutions, allowing them to
extend credit with greater confidence and reach underserved
sectors. For Croatian households and businesses, this translates
into improved financing terms, reduced collateral requirements, and
more opportunities to invest in sustainable growth.
The InvestEU Guarantee Facility is expected to unlock hundreds
of millions of euros in investments, supporting the EU’s Green Deal
goals and reinforcing Croatia’s commitment to a low-carbon,
innovation-driven economy.
Speaking at the launch event in Zagreb, EBRD representatives
highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with Croatian
banks and the government in delivering the full potential of this
program.
The EBRD has been a long-term partner of Croatia in supporting
private sector development and sustainable growth. The launch of
InvestEU marks a new chapter in this cooperation, reinforcing the
EBRD’s role as a catalyst for positive economic change.
The first participating financial institution under the EBRD’s
InvestEU Program in Croatia will be Zagrebačka banka (ZABA).
Through this partnership, ZABA will target a broad range of final
borrowers in the historically difficult-to-decarbonize buildings
and sustainable transport sectors. With the backing of the EBRD and
the InvestEU guarantee, ZABA aims to expand its sustainable lending
portfolio and provide improved financing conditions to businesses
driving environmental impact across Croatia.
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