Ukraine and the EBRD plan to increase investment in energy and infrastructure by €325M.

Ukraine and the EBRD discussed the possibilities of expanding investment in energy and infrastructure projects.

“With the help of the EBRD, we hope to unblock private investments in renewable energy projects,” noted Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko at a meeting with the EBRD delegation.

The parties discussed the progression toward implementing agreements with banks to fortify their ability to provide new loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

The EBRD has launched a new portfolio risk-sharing program with Ukrainian banks – the Energy Security Support Facility, worth €700M. This will help support lending to businesses, private households, municipalities, and medium-sized corporate clients to implement decentralized generation projects and improve energy efficiency.

Agreements with UGB (Ukrgasbank) for €150M and PrivatBank for €175M have already been approved. PrivatBank clarified that the EBRD will cover up to 50% of the credit risk for each new loan for private borrowers, up to €400M.