Šef Delegacije Evropske unije i specijalni predstavnik Evropske unije u Bosni i Hercegovini, ambasador Luigi Soreca, prisustvovao je ceremoniji potpisivanja dva finansijska sporazuma između Evropske banke za obnovu i razvoj (EBRD) i Raiffeisen banke, a čiji cilj je unapređenje pristupa finansijskim sredstvima za mala preduzeća i domaćinstva širom Bosne i Hercegovine. Uz podršku Evropske unije, ovi sporazumi su posebno usmjereni na mala preduzeća koja vode žene, mladi i preduzetnici u manjim sredinama, kao i domaćinstva koja žele ulagati u energetsku efikasnost.
Prvim sporazumom je predviđena garancija za podjelu rizika u iznosu od 25 miliona eura, koju obezbjeđuje EBRD, a koja će biti podržana sa 2 miliona eura bespovratnih sredstava Evropske unije za pokriće dijela kreditnog rizika. Ova zajednička inicijativa Evropske unije, EBRD-a i Raiffeisen banke ima za cilj omogućiti do 50 miliona eura povoljnih kredita za podršku malim preduzećima, posebno onima u manjim sredinama. Garancije će pomoći preduzećima iz ključnih sektora, poput turizma i poljoprivrede, da dobiju kredite neophodne za investicije i razvoj. Garancije Evropske unije smanjuju rizik za kreditore i olakšavaju Raiffeisen banci da proširi kreditiranje na preduzeća koja bi, inače, imala poteškoće u osiguranju finansijskih sredstava.
Drugi sporazum se odnosi na energetsku efikasnost u domaćinstvima. Kredit od 3 miliona eura koji obezbjeđuje EBRD će biti na raspolaganju za povoljno finansiranje intervencija u sferi energetske efikasnosti. Domaćinstva koja ispune uslove moći će dobiti povrat novca od Evropske unije u iznosu do 20% iznosa kredita nakon uspješne realizacije projekta. Ova inicijativa predstavlja pomoć domaćinstvima u zemlji u zamjeni stare stolarije, poboljšanja izolacije i sistema grijanja, čime se smanjuje potrošnja energije i računa za komunalne usluge.
„Potpisivanje ova dva sporazuma još je jedan primjer posvećenosti Evropske unije pružanju novih prilika za mala i srednja preduzeća širom Bosne i Hercegovine i unapređenju života njenih građana. Osiguravajući bolji pristup finansijskim sredstvima, posebno za preduzeća u manjim sredinama, i podršku domaćinstvima da svoje domove učine energetski efikasnijima, pomažemo preduzećima da se razvijaju i budu konkurentnija, a građanima da žive bolje. Ove inicijative također imaju bitnu ulogu u okviru Plana rasta EU za Zapadni Balkan, jer podstiču zelenu i digitalnu tranziciju i jačaju otpornost privatnog sektora. Zajedno postavljamo temelje za održiviju i prosperitetniju budućnost za sve građane Bosne i Hercegovine,“ istakao je ambasador Soreca.
„Partnerstvo s Raiffeisen bankom, uz podršku Evropske unije, predstavlja značajnu prekretnicu u našim naporima da proširimo pristup finansiranju za preduzeća u Bosni i Hercegovini, suočena s nedovoljnim pristupom finansijama. Kombinovanjem inovativnih finansijskih instrumenata sa ciljanom tehničkom pomoći, omogućavamo većem broju malih i srednjih preduzeća i domaćinstava da investiraju u svoju budućnost, bilo kroz rast poslovanja ili energetski efikasna ulaganja u domove. Ovo je vrsta inkluzivnog i zelenog finansiranja koju EBRD s ponosom podržava širom Zapadnog Balkana,“ naglasila je Stela Melnić, direktorica EBRD-a za Bosnu i Hercegovinu.
Rainer Schnabl, izvršni direktor Raiffeisen banke u Bosni i Hercegovini, istaknuo je: „Ponosni smo što smo prva banka u Bosni i Hercegovini koja se pridružila EBRD-ovom programu podjele rizika. Ova saradnja nam omogućava da proširimo kreditiranje na mala i srednja preduzeća, posebno ona koja vode žene i mladi, te da obuhvatimo sredine van glavnih urbanih centara. Istovremeno, kroz instrument finansiranja zelene ekonomije, podržavamo domaćinstva da ulože u energetski efikasna rješenja čime se smanjuju troškovi i doprinosi održivijoj budućnosti. Obzirom da Raiffeisen banka obilježava 25 godina poslovanja kao dobar komšija u Bosni i Hercegovini, ova inicijativa odražava našu dugogodišnju posvećenost i podršku poduzetništvu, konkurentnosti i zelenoj tranziciji ove zemlje.”
Inicijative su dio šire i kontinuirane podrške Evropske unije ka boljem pristupu finansijskim sredstvima i smanjenju investicijskog rizika u Bosni i Hercegovini. Od 1996. godine, Evropska unija je osigurala oko 110 miliona eura putem brojnih programa za pomoć malim preduzećima u Bosni i Hercegovini da budu konkurentnija. U partnerstvu sa EBRD-om, bespovratna sredstva Evropske unije su usmjerena ka inovacijama, zelenim tehnologijama i naprednim digitalnim rješenjima širom zemlje. Kao učesnik sa 400 miliona eura u okviru Garancije za Zapadni Balkan, Evropska unija blisko sarađuje s lokalnim bankama kako bi snizila troškove finansiranja i smanjila rizik za investitore. Mnoge od navedenih garancija uskoro će biti dostupne lokalnim preduzećima putem partnerskih banaka, a doprinijet će razvoju, otvaranju novih radnih mjesta, te zelenoj i digitalnoj transformaciji ekonomije Bosne i Hercegovine.
EBRD je uložio preko 3,3 milijarde u Bosnu i Hercegovinu kroz 249 projekta od početka svog rada u zemlji, odnosno od 1996. godine. Strateški prioriteti ove banke u Bosni i Hercegovini jesu promocija zelene ekonomije, podrška razvoju konkurentnosti privatnog sektora i regionalnim integracijama.
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EU and EBRD support businesses and households in BiH to access financial funds
The Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Luigi Soreca attended the signing ceremony of two financial agreements between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Raiffeisen Bank, aimed at improving access to finance for small businesses and households across Bosnia and Herzegovina. These agreements, supported by the European Union, are in particular targeted at small businesses led by women, young people, and entrepreneurs outside major cities, as well as households looking to invest in energy efficiency.
The first Agreement includes a €25 million unfunded risk-sharing guarantee from the EBRD which will be backed by €2 million in grants from the European Union to cover part of the credit risk. This joint initiative between the EU, EBRD and Raiffeisen bank support aims to unlock up to €50 million in favourable loans to assist small businesses, particularly those outside big cities. The guarantees will support companies in key sectors like tourism and agriculture to get the loans they need to invest and grow. The EU-supported guarantees reduce the risk for lenders, making it easier for Raiffeisen Bank to extend credit to businesses that might otherwise struggle to secure funding.
The second agreement focuses on energy efficiency in homes. A €3 million loan from EBRD will be used to provide affordable financing for energy efficiency interventions. Households that meet the requirements will receive up to 20% of the loan amount back as a refund from the EU after the successful completion of the project. This initiative will help BiH households replace old windows, improve insulation, and upgrade heating systems, ultimately reducing energy consumption and utility bills.
“The signing of these two agreements is yet another example of the European Union’s commitment to providing new opportunities for SMEs across Bosnia and Herzegovina and improving the lives of its citizens. By improving access to finance, especially for businesses outside big cities, and supporting households to make their homes more energy-efficient, we are helping businesses grow and compete, and citizens live better. These initiatives also play an important role in the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans by driving green and digital transformation and strengthening the resilience of the private sector. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all citizens of BiH,” said Ambassador Soreca.
Stela Melnic, EBRD Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: “This partnership with Raiffeisen Bank, supported by the European Union, marks a significant milestone in our efforts to expand access to finance for underserved businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By sharing risk and combining innovative financial instruments with targeted technical assistance, we are enabling more SMEs and households to invest in their future, whether through business growth or energy-efficient home upgrades. This is the kind of inclusive and green financing the EBRD is proud to champion across the Western Balkans.”
Rainer Schnabl, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: “We are proud to be the first bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the EBRD’s Portfolio Risk Sharing programme. This cooperation enables us to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those led by young people and women, and to reach regions beyond the main urban centres. At the same time, through the Green Economy Financing Facility, we are supporting households to invest in energy-efficient solutions, helping to lower costs and contribute to a more sustainable future. As Raiffeisen Bank marks 25 years of being a good neighbour in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this initiative reflects our long-standing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, competitiveness and the green transition of country’s economy.”
These initiatives are part the EU broader ongoing support to improve access to finance and reduce the risks of investing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 1996, the EU has invested about €110 million to help small businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina become more competitive through various programmes. In partnership with the EBRD, EU grants have supported innovation, green technologies, and digital upgrades across the country. As part of a €400 million contribution to the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility, the EU is working closely with local banks to lower financing costs and risks for investors. Many of these guarantees will soon be available to local businesses through partner banks, supporting growth, jobs, and the country’s shift to a greener and more digital economy.
The EBRD has invested more than €3.3 billion in 249 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina since it began operating there in 1996. The Bank’s strategic priorities in the country are to promote the green economy, support the competitive development of the private sector and foster regional integration.
Delegation of the European Union to BiH & European Union Special Representative in BiH
