The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested EUR 3 billion over the past 11 years in more than 180 projects in all sectors in Serbia.
This is according to EBRD Director for Serbia Hildergard Gacek, who spoke for Tanjug news agency.
Gacek added that EBRD plans to continue supporting the infrastructure sector in Serbia, particularly the increasing and improving of capacity of the railway and Corridor 10 (K-10).
In January we granted funding in the amount of EUR 95 million for the railway, and we will continue with strong support particularly to the SME sector through banks, as well as the corporate direct financing.
She said that the energy sector will benefit particularly in the renewable energy. After the law has been passed the renewable energy will have significant investments coming and that is what we will also be ready to support, she added.
Over the last 11 years Serbia has made significant progress but has been, like many other countries, been hit by the overall crisis. The growth of 2 per cent from 2011 may not be possible for 2012, according to projections it will reach 1 per cent, but the potential for growth after this year is enormous, Gacek pointed out.
EBRD achieved main results in Serbia by providing support to the sectors of infrastructure and finance, as well as direct approach to the corporate sector, Gacek stressed, adding that this financial institution will particularly work on the development of renewable energy sector.
EBRD has lately been promoting its program for women entrepreneurship which is also carried out in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Source B92