The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending 100 million euros to the leasing subsidiary of BRD Groupe Société Générale to increase financing for businesses across Romania. The EIB loan to BRD Sogelease IFN SA will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Caps pursuing a range of investments in the country.
The operation will enable BRD Sogelease to provide funding on favourable terms to Romanian companies seeking business expansion, productivity improvements and sustainable development. Of the total loan, 15% is earmarked for green projects such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport.
The goal is to facilitate financing for Romanian SMEs and Mid-Caps, which face greater hurdles in accessing long-term funding than their counterparts in many other European Union countries.
“In today’s rapidly changing economy, access to finance is a key enabler of competitiveness,” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. “By partnering with BRD Sogelease, we are mobilising investment where it matters most: among Romanian entrepreneurs. This financing will help businesses become more resilient, more innovative and better prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Around 80% of the EIB loan is projected to be deployed in less-developed areas known in the EU as “cohesion regions”, contributing to economic and social gains across Romania. The credit provides long-term funding in euros or Romanian lei at favourable conditions compared with alternatives in the market.
“Our long-standing partnership with the European Investment Bank reflects a shared commitment to supporting the growth and resilience of the Romanian economy. This new financing facility will enable us to provide SMEs and Mid-Caps with enhanced access to long-term funding on attractive terms, helping them invest in expansion, innovation, productivity and sustainable development” said BRD Sogelease General Manager Gabriel Mihai. “The cooperation with the EIB strengthens our ability to support businesses across Romania, particularly in cohesion regions where access to financing remains essential for unlocking economic potential. At BRD Sogelease, we remain firmly committed to empowering local entrepreneurs and companies with the financial solutions they need to grow, adapt and contribute to the country’s long-term prosperity, this being a key component of BRD Group’s financial solutions offer in Romania”.