The EBRD’s latest strategy for Romania was approved in April 2008. The main goal of the strategy is to help Romania meet its post accession challenges. The strategy focuses on the following key priorities:
Enterprise sector
Support will be provided to the private sector (including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and leading domestic corporates, especially in general industry and agribusiness) to enhance business competitiveness and stimulate expansion throughout Romania and cross-border. Investments in high-risk instruments (such as equity, quasi equity and structured debt) and efforts to lend in local currency will be enhanced.
Energy sector
The Bank will continue to invest in the energy sector, while supporting policy dialogue to promote appropriate regulatory and institutional reform. The Bank will invest in the upgrade and rehabilitation of electricity assets, especially power stations and will also promote energy renewable and energy efficiency projects.
Infrastructure
The Bank will assist Romania in improving its national infrastructure (especially transport), to ensure enhanced regional cooperation, improved trade and the utilisation of Single Market benefits. In addition, the Bank will continue its activities in the municipal sector throughout the country and support the utilisation of EU structural and cohesion funds. The Bank will continue to lend directly to regional water and waste water companies to upgrade and expand their assets and to municipalities for urban transport and roads, and energy efficiency transactions.
Finance
The Bank will continue to provide financial support to both foreign owned and local banks to assist them to further develop. The banking sector will be used as the intermediary to tackle challenges in the agriculture sector, by providing dedicated credit lines to rural areas and piloting more sophisticated agri-lending products. Banking products to foster the energy savings sector in Romania are also being introduced. The Bank will continue to provide financing for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and non-bank microfinance institutions and support the general development of the non-banking financial sector.
