With EU support, EBRD lends €10 million to support Moldovan businesses

• EBRD lends €10 million to OTP Bank Moldova to support lending to businesses
• EU-funded technical assistance and grants will help MSMEs meet European directives
• Project strengthens Moldova’s resilience and integration with European Union markets

Moldovan businesses are set to benefit from greater access to finance as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), extends a new €10 million financial package to OTP Bank Moldova under the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line.

This new financing will provide investment support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Moldova, helping them upgrade technology and equipment, improve standards, and strengthen competitiveness in both domestic and EU markets. The initiative also promotes EU standards in the Moldovan market, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

Through loans and grants, the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line supports a wide range of projects that increase the competitiveness and capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from countries such as Moldova, both in the EU and their home markets. EU4Business is an umbrella initiative of the European Union that includes all EU support to small and medium enterprises in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. 

Since 2016, OTP Bank Moldova has successfully placed €70 million of such loans, enabling businesses to modernise operations and adopt best practices. At least 70 per cent of these investments have been green, focusing on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly technologies.

MSMEs are critical for the sustainable growth of the Moldovan economy, accounting for 98 per cent of all business in Moldova and employing 60 per cent of the country’s workers.

OTP Bank is one of four systemically important banks in Moldova, with an excellent track record in implementing projects ranging from trade finance to energy efficiency as well as MSME credit lines. The EBRD has had a relationship with OTP Bank since 1996.   

The EBRD is Moldova’s biggest institutional investor. To date it has invested almost €2.9 billion in 188 projects to date in the country, with 40 per cent of its portfolio in sustainable infrastructure.