Croatian businesses to get €300 million financing boost as EIB teams up with national development bank HBOR

• Croatian development bank HBOR to channel €300 million EIB loan to small and medium-sized enterprises across Croatia.
• Financing to feature favourable conditions for business projects that support innovation, green gains and job creation.
• Almost a third of EIB credit earmarked for sustainability initiatives.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) signed a €300 million loan to improve access to long term finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Croatia. The funding will enable Croatian businesses to invest, modernise and grow, strengthening their competitiveness and supporting sustainable economic development.

"The success of Croatia's economy depends on thousands of companies making investment decisions every day,” said EIB Vice-President Marko Primorac. “By partnering with HBOR, we are making it easier for businesses to turn those plans into reality, whether they are modernising operations, expanding production or investing in new technologies."
The loan marks the first tranche of a €500 million EIB financing package for HBOR to support business investments across the country, including projects that promote technological innovation, sustainable development and quality jobs. with 30?rmarked for climate-action and environmental-sustainability initiatives.

"Our successful cooperation with the EIB continues to deliver tangible benefits for Croatian businesses and the wider economy. This new financing agreement will help companies finance investments that strengthen their competitiveness, accelerate the green transition and support innovation, while ensuring access to long-term funding needed to execute their development plans and create new opportunities for growth and employment," said HBOR President of the Management Board Hrvoje Čuvalo.

The operation addresses persistent financing gaps faced by Croatian businesses, particularly when accessing long-term funding for investment projects. The funds will be channelled through HBOR, both via direct loans to final beneficiaries and through commercial banks and other eligible financial intermediaries. Through this partnership, EIB and HBOR will help ensure that more companies can access financing on favourable terms and turn investment plans into concrete projects.

The loan signing took place on the margins of the conference Places to Stay, Regions to Grow: Investing in Croatia, organised by the EIB Group and the European Commission Representation in Croatia in Zagreb. The event brought together public authorities, financial partners and businesses to explore investments that strengthen regional development, cohesion and quality of life. The emerging European “Right to Stay” framework is based on a simple idea: talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Investing in services, connectivity, skills, housing and local economies can make regions more competitive, attractive and resilient.