EIB and HBOR partner to support Croatian SMEs and MidCaps from Covid-19

The EIB investment is part of the European Union`s COVID-19 economic support for European SMEs approved by the EIB in April 2020, shortly after the outbreak of the pandemic.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) agreed on a financial package that could enable up to €200 million in loans for faster recovery of Croatian SMEs and MidCaps from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The package will unlock a new source of more affordable loans to support ongoing investments plans or provide much-needed working capital for Croatian SMEs and MidCaps, the backbone of the Croatian economy and a major source of employment in the country. The funds will be available to SMEs and MidCaps operating in sectors most affected by the pandemic.

The EIB investment is part of the European Union`s COVID-19 economic support for European SMEs approved by the EIB in April 2020, shortly after the outbreak of the pandemic. Under the signed agreement, the EIB will contribute €100 million to the SMEs and MidCaps in Croatia.

EIB Vice President responsible for EIB activities in Croatia, Dario Scannapieco, said "Successful and growing SMEs are crucial for a faster and sustainable recovery of the Croatian economy from Covid-19, which is why we are proud to support their business plans with a new source of finance. This loan is part of a comprehensive EU-wide economic response to the pandemic, and the EIB continues to deliver tangible, real support to Croatia and its economy in its time of need. I also welcome the recent decision by the Croatian Government to join the EIB Pan-European Guaranty Fund. I hope Parliament will endorse the decision which will create new opportunities for faster recovery of SMEs and MidCaps in Croatia and across the EU."

President of the Management Board of HBOR, Tamara Perko, said: „Since the end of March, HBOR has, within the framework of COVID-19 measures, approved loans in the total amount exceeding HRK 1 billion to companies affected by the pandemic. The funds for working capital loans from HBOR's sources are approved at an interest rate from 0%, and the contract signed today will provide us with an additional source to continue implementing such favourable lending conditions."

Since 2001, the EIB and HBOR have signed 23 financial contracts worth € 3 billion, including 17 financial contracts worth in excess of € 2,8 billion in support of SMEs and MidCaps in key sectors of the national economy including infrastructure energy efficiency, and environment protection.