EBRD invests over EUR 0.5 bln in Romania in 2017

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested over EUR 0.5 billion in Romanian last year. The bank supported 29 projects with EUR 546 million of debt and equity investments, 93% of which went to the private sector. Last year’s investment was close to the seven-year high mark of EUR 612 million, provided in 2012. Equity investment reached an all-time record of EUR 122 million in nine deals. In 2017, the EBRD financed greenfield investments such as a recycling facility for industrial oil waste and a new plant for soft alloys. The bank also financed the expansion of a local pharmaceutical retail chain and a real estate development for logistics in the outskirts of Bucharest. Equity investments include a local agriculture holding, a popular supermarket chain, and a company targeting oil & gas exploration in the Black Sea. The bank also financed municipal infrastructure projects such as new buses for Sibiu, Brasov and Constanta. The EBRD was very active in the capital markets, backing landmark bond issues, supporting alternative methods of financing, such as leasing, providing business advice and financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The 2017 results bring total EBRD investment in Romania to EUR 7.8 billion, and the number of projects in the country to 415 at the end of the year. editor@romania-insider.com