European Fund for Strategic Investments: first deal signed in Greece
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and ProCredit group have signed a guarantee agreement to increase lending to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps in Greece.
This transaction benefits from the support of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe.
Under the new agreement ProCredit group will provide EUR 20 million of loans to innovative companies in Greece over the next two years. The loans will be supported by an EIF guarantee under the “EU InnovFin finance for Innovators” initiative with financial backing from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. The agreement signed yesteday will make it possible for the ProCredit group to offer innovative companies additional financing at favourable conditions.
Speaking at the signing event, European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, responsible for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, said: “I am honoured to be here in Thessaloniki to witness the signing of the first EFSI deal in Greece. Small companies in Greece are in great need of financing to grow their businesses and create jobs. The agreement signed today by the EIF and ProCredit with the support of the Investment Plan will help Greek SMEs access new finance. I encourage other banks to join forces with the EIF and set up similar agreements under the Investment Plan so that we can help more Greek companies flourish.”
EIF Chief Executive Pier Luigi Gilibert commented: “I am delighted to be signing the first EFSI SME agreement in Greece for innovative SMEs. Support for innovative SMEs will help to facilitate growth and jobs. The ProCredit group has partnered with us to roll-out the InnovFin programme in other countries and I am sure that together we can play a part in delivering finance for SMEs and mid-caps in Greece.”
Borislav Kostadinov, member of the Management Board of ProCredit Holding, added: “We are especially pleased that this agreement will support us in our endeavours to strengthen the competitiveness of Greek SMEs. In order to complete its presence in its core region, the ProCredit group has recently extended its outreach by establishing a foothold in Thessaloniki operated by our Bulgarian subsidiary. As the leading house bank for small and medium-sized enterprises in this region, we partner the InnovFin programme in seven countries and I am positive that SMEs in Northern Greece will benefit substantially. Investments in modern technology, innovative thinking and environmental orientation are key factors for the future development of strong and internationally competitive SMEs.”
This is the first InnovFin transaction in Greece signed with EFSI support. The deal reflects the EU’s commitment to rapidly launch concrete initiatives under the EFSI, accelerating lending and guaranteeing transactions capable of boosting jobs and growth in the EU.
Photo: Avramopoulos’ Twitter
