EBRD mulls lending 5 mln euro to N. Macedonia's NLB Banka to support SMEs

SKOPJE (N. Macedonia), November 11 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Thursday it is considering providing a senior unsecured loan of up to 5 million euro ($5.7 million) to North Macedonia's NLB Banka [MSE:TNB] to boost competitiveness of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The potential loan would be disbursed in two tranches of 3 million euro and 2 million euro, respectively, under the EBRD's Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme, the bank said in a project summary document.

The funding would be used to finance investments by SMEs in upgrades of production facilities and mesures for compliance with EU directives in environmental protection, workers' safety and product quality and safety.

At least 60% of the funding will be provided for green investments, the EBRD said.

NLB Banka is part of Slovenian banking group Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB).

($ = 0.8723 euro)

NLB Tutunska Banka AD Skopje is among the biggest banks in SEE, for more reference take a look at Top 100 banks