EBRD boosts Serbian SMEs with UniCredit Leasing financing
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing a €20 million loan to UniCredit Leasing Serbia to support local SMEs.
More than half of the total loan amount will finance investments in green technology and energy efficiency. The loan will give SMEs in Serbia access to finance, enabling them to go beyond their day-to-day operations and invest in upgrades with a view to reaching EU standards.
SMEs can use the funds to upgrade technology, processes or services, particularly those related to product quality, health and safety and EU environmental requirements.
SMEs can also obtain technical assistance, including EBRD advisory support and, once they have successfully completed their investment, will be eligible for a cashback grant of 15% of the total loan amount - both of which will be funded by the European Union.
These investments will be channelled through the Western Balkans SME Competitiveness Support Programme, to which the EBRD provides loans and the European Union contributes incentive payments and technical assistance.
