Project Description
A senior unsecured loan of up to EUR 7 million to be provided in one single tranche to NLB Pristina under the Financial Intermediaries Framework (FIF) for on-lending to local SMEs.
Project Objectives
The proceeds will be used by NLB Pristina (NLBP) to finance loans to eligible SMEs in accordance with the FIF Policy Statement.
Transition Impact
ETI score: 60
The project contributes to the objectives of the FIF, supporting the Competitive and Resilient Transition Impact qualities:
Competitive: The project will contribute towards building a more competitive financial sector by enhancing NLBP's lending to local privately owned SMEs in Kosovo, with a focus on regional outreach and attraction of new clients.
Resilient: The project will contribute towards the resilience of the financial sector by ensuring prudent lending practices and adequate portfolio quality.
Client Information
NLB PRISHTINA SH A
NLB Banka sh.a. (NLB Prishtina/NLBP) is the second largest bank on the market, holding a market share of 17% by total assets at YE 2021. Through its network of 34 branches/sub-branches and 463 employees, NLBP serves more than 347,000 clients across Kosovo.
EBRD Finance Summary
EUR 7,000,000.00
Total Project Cost
EUR 7,000,000.00
Additionality
Additionality is achieved by combining the necessary long-term financing in the form of a senior loan.
Environmental and Social Summary
Categorised FI (ESP 2019). NLBP is an existing client and its performance to date for existing exposure to a TFP line has been satisfactory. NLBP will be taking on other lines (WiB and SME) which will require a broader consideration of the implementation of the EBRD's PR9. This would include implementing the EBRD's E&S Risk Management Procedures for Corporate, SME and Micro Loans including adhering to the expanded EBRD E&S Exclusion List and Referral List introduced with ESP 2019 and submitting annual E&S reports to the Bank. Sub-borrowers financed through NLBP's loan will be required to comply with national environmental, health, safety and labour (EHSL) requirements. NLBP will be required to align existing procedures with EBRD E&S requirements and to nominate a person from senior management to have overall responsibility for implementing them. NLBP will provide ESD with the names of relevant credit risk appraisal staff who will be provided with access to the EBRD's E&S risk management training programme online. These requirements will be covenants in the loan agreement. The Project's use of proceeds or allocated multiple may include solar sub-projects. Such sub-projects will be managed in line with 'The Proposed Management Approach for Solar Supply Chain Risk Management' (CS/FO/21-35) and any subsequent guidance developed under that approach.
Company Contact Information
Gem Maloku
Gem.Maloku@nlb-kos.com
+383 (0)38 744 005
+383 (0)38 744 005
www.nlb-kos.com
Rr. Ukshin Hoti nr. 124, KS-10000 Prishtinë, Kosove
PSD last updated
28 Nov 2022
Understanding Transition
Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here.
Business opportunities
For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.
For business opportunities with EBRD (not related to procurement) contact:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com
For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
Email: procurement@ebrd.com
General enquiries
Specific enquiries can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Environmental and Social Policy (ESP)
The ESP and the associated Performance Requirements (PRs) set out the ways in which the EBRD implements its commitment to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”. The ESP and the PRs include specific provisions for clients to comply with the applicable requirements of national laws on public information and consultation as well as to establish a grievance mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of stakeholders’ concerns and grievances, in particular, about environmental and social performance of the client and the project. Proportionate to the nature and scale of a project’s environmental and social risks and impacts, the EBRD additionally requires its clients to disclose information, as appropriate, about the risks and impacts arising from projects or to undertake meaningful consultation with stakeholders and consider and respond to their feedback.
More information on the EBRD’s practices in this regard is set out in the ESP.
Integrity and Compliance
The EBRD's Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) promotes good governance and ensures that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all activities of the Bank in accordance with international best practice. Integrity due diligence is conducted on all Bank clients to ensure that projects do not present unacceptable integrity or reputational risks to the Bank. The Bank believes that identifying and resolving issues at the project assessment approval stages is the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of Bank transactions. OCCO plays a key role in these protective efforts, and also helps to monitor integrity risks in projects post-investment.
OCCO is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, corruption and misconduct in EBRD-financed projects. Anyone, both within or outside the Bank, who suspects fraud or corruption should submit a written report to the Chief Compliance Officer by email to compliance@ebrd.com. All matters reported will be handled by OCCO for follow-up. All reports, including anonymous ones, will be reviewed. Reports can be made in any language of the Bank or of the Bank's countries of operation. The information provided must be made in good faith.
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
