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EBRD To Invest $200M In Lebanon
According to Alain Pilloux, EBRD’s Vice President for Banking, the bank has invested in Lebanon $75 million so far and this amount will reach more than $100 million by the end of its first year of operation in Lebanon. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to continue financing projects in Lebanon by increasing the investment to $200 million by next year.
EBRD plans to finance the development of three local industrial zones by providing loans to the government in partnership with EIB, the Luxembourg-based European Investment Bank. These zones are part of the CIP program (Capital Investment Program) which was presented at the CEDRE donor conference in Paris on 06 April 2018.
Some of the main targeted
sectors which will be financed by EBRD are the energy sector particularly
renewable energy, water resources, infrastructure, electricity plans developed
by the private sector, banking sector, such as credit lines.
EBRD intends to find local
partners so for the first stage it will work closely with Lebanese banks. “By teaming up with local banks as intermediaries
it is easier to reach small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Later on, we will
work directly with local businesses,” said Pilloux.
Lebanon became an EBRD country of operation since September 2017. It has engaged with a number of Lebanese banks, particularly Bank Audi and Fransabank.
EBRD, established in 1991 as an international financial institution to invest in different projects and to extend credit lines to commercial banks. The bank offers a broad range of financial instruments mostly in 3 forms: loans, equity and guarantees.
According to EBRD’s website, in Lebanon they focus on the following objectives:
- Supporting
private sector competitiveness by improving the environment for private
sector development and increasing the scope of available financial
instruments,
- Promoting sustainable
energy supply, fostering energy sector reforms and enhancing energy
efficiency,
- Enhancing the quality and efficiency of public service delivery and supporting private sector participation in public infrastructure.
Shanda Consult is specialised in consultancy regarding project-based investments and as a partner in bringing together investors and investment projects.
Shanda Consult is advising on numerous investments, ranging from Energy/Telecom/IT to industry, technology, tourism and agriculture investments.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to be guided with your Lebanon-related projects and business.
Source: The Daily Star