The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), comprising the European Investment Bank (EIB) and its subsidiary, the European Investment Fund (EIF), provided 1.311 billion Euro in loans, guarantees, equity and microfinance operations in Romania in 2018.

The EIB signed new loan contracts for 981 million Euro, while the EIF committed 329 million Euro in three equity, 13 guarantee and three microfinance operations. The amounts committed by the EIB Group will benefit some 8 800 small businesses, companies that are supporting approximately 200 000 jobs in Romania.

The EIB Group support in 2018 represented some 0.64% of Romanian GDP, and the country ranks 11th among EU Member States in terms of volume of EIB Group activities.

EIB Vice-President Andrew McDowell commented: “2018 was a very successful year for the EIB Group in Romania. We provided well-balanced support totalling 1.3 billion Euro to the country, financing both public sector projects and – increasingly – private corporates and SMEs, often through guarantees from the Investment Plan for Europe. Almost 9 000 businesses benefited from our operations, which supported some 200 000 jobs. This year, an innovative transaction backed by the Investment Plan for Europe enabled the EIB – for the first time in the EU – to provide a loan dedicated to supporting businesses led by female entrepreneurs. In addition, we cooperate closely with Romanian authorities and companies, and deliver advisory services fostering the preparation and implementation of priority projects.”