EIB Ready to Increase Support to Western Balkans

Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, spoke at the Western Balkans Berlin Summit on July 5 and reaffirmed the EIB’s firm commitment to the Western Balkans and its readiness to intensify support for the transition to greener, more digital and more inclusive economic growth.

The Berlin Process facilitated the development of a partnership between the EU Member States and the Western Balkan partners involved, helping to advance the Connectivity Agenda in the region, the EIB announced.

It has also created region-wide political consensus and garnered EU support for strategic actions on the Green Agenda, digital transformation and the Common Regional Market.

To date, the EIB has invested over EUR 5 billion in the transportation sector of the Western Balkans, supporting regional cooperation and connectivity.

The EU bank has delivered on its EUR 1.7 billion commitment under the Team Europe response to COVID-19.

During the first seven months of 2021, the EIB already scaled up support for the region by investing close to EUR 600 million in vital infrastructure and SME projects.

Since 2009, the EIB has committed almost EUR 10 billion in the Western Balkans across all key economic sectors, supporting vital infrastructure projects and development of the private sector.

As the EU climate bank, the EIB will actively support the transition to a greener, more digital and more sustainable economic model, in terms of both infrastructure and private sector development.

In addition to connectivity related investments and SME development, the Bank will also intensify support for health, education, the environment and municipal development and boost social inclusion through innovative financing instruments and increased technical assistance.

Evropska investiciona banka EIB

European Investment Bank

EIB

Werner Hoyer

investments

Western Balkans

green agenda

digital transformation