Garanti BBVA Romania has signed a new financing agreement, amounting to EUR 40 million with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The five-year senior unsecured loan is aimed at supporting women-owned enterprises in Romania.

“Supporting women-owned businesses is a strategic priority for Garanti BBVA Romania. We are honored to continue our strong collaboration with IFC and to contribute, through this new agreement, to the sustainable development of Romania’s business environment. Women entrepreneurs play an increasingly vital role in the economy, and our mission is to stand by them with dedicated financial solutions and trusted partnerships,” said Mustafa Tiftikcioğlu, CEO of Garanti BBVA Romania.

“Advancing financial inclusion for women is one of key pillars of IFC’s work in Romania,” said Marcelo Castellanos, IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Southeastern Europe. “This project builds on our longstanding partnership with Garanti BBVA and represents our first investment in the country fully dedicated to women-owned and women-led businesses.”

In recent years, Garanti BBVA has secured nearly EUR 105 million in financing from international institutions, that included components aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. Out of this amount, EUR 82.5 million was attracted from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Currently, statistics show that nearly 620,000 women in Romania are shareholders or partners in active companies, accounting for over 36% of ownership structures. Additionally, approximately 187,000 women are sole proprietors or members of sole trader businesses, individual or family enterprises, representing 40% of all individuals involved in such economic entities, according to data from the National Trade Register Office (ONRC).