IFC to promote development with high-impact projects in ECA region

IFC’s largest commitments during the last fiscal year were Turkey ($1.1 billion), Romania ($336.4 million), Serbia ($190.5 million), Ukraine ($129.1 million) and Kazakhstan ($111.5 million).

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, expanded its operations in Europe and Central Asia with investment commitments that reached $2.9 billion driving the diversification of the region's economies, promoting access to finance for small businesses and tackling climate change.

IFC invested $2.26 billion from its account and mobilized another $0.68 billion from other investors during its fiscal year 2018, which ended on June 30. The investments were geared towards helping the region's financial sector increase its loans to small and medium-sized enterprises, support women-owned businesses, develop agribusiness and improve the region's urban infrastructure. IFC also supported $1.8 billion of cross-border trade in the region through 28 banks participating in its global trade finance program.

IFC's largest commitments during the last fiscal year were Turkey ($1.1 billion), Romania ($336.4 million), Serbia ($190.5 million), Ukraine ($129.1 million) and Kazakhstan ($111.5 million). Some landmark transactions include EUR108 million in financing to boost Serbia's production of renewable energy through wind farms, $120 million in loans to increase the productivity of Ukraine's agribusiness sector and a $75 million investment to support women entrepreneurs in Turkey.

Wiebke Schloemer, IFC's director for Europe and Central Asia, said that for the coming years IFC's focus on the region will be "on supporting the development of the fledgling private sector in some of the poorest and conflicted-affected countries in the region while also continuing to work in middle-income countries to promote innovation and competitiveness, energy efficiency and sustainable urban infrastructure."

IFC also implemented 79 advisory projects in the region which focused on improving business regulations, working with the private sector to fight climate change and helping local companies improve their corporate governance and environmental and social practices.

During the next fiscal year, IFC will continue to focus on high-impact projects that can help mitigate climate change, promote financial inclusion and create new jobs.