EIB Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski formally inaugurated the EIB's representation in North Macedonia
This new EIB Representation in Skopje will extend further the advisory and financial support under EIB Global for the country and therefore additionally promote sustainable growth, boost employment and sector support
To date, the EIB Group has invested EUR1.1 billion in the economic and social growth and development of North Macedonia.
Today, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the financial institution of Eu, has officially inaugurated its new representation office in Skopje, located on the premises from the Delegation from the Eu to the Republic of North Macedonia. By taking this task, the EU bank confirms its support for the sustainable growth and green transition of the nation. The new dedicated local presence will enhance technical and financial support for private and public investment in the nation.
Opening an EIB representation office in Skopje is in line with the EIB's policy of creating a presence in more countries outside the Eu (EU). This effort can help the EU bank to understand regional financing needs, identify more new projects and establish closer ties with national authorities and other stakeholders. Up to now, the EIB has established offices in 23 EU Member States and 30 countries away from EU, promoting business and policy dialogue. In the opening ceremony, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski and EIB Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova were accompanied by the Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi, the top of EU Delegation in North Macedonia David Geer, and other high-level representatives of the business and banking community and international financial partners.
EIB Vice-President Lilyana Pavlova, responsible for operations in North Macedonia, said: “Opening the EIB representation office in North Macedonia is a clear signal in our profound dedication to the country's prosperity, as well as its regional and EU integration. The extension in our outreach in the united states is coming in the right time as we are all facing complex climate, energy and social challenges which require a new approach and partnership model under Team Europe. Like a well-established and reliable partner for that country, our new office will help the EIB scale up its support for the energy transition, environment protection, sustainable transport, local economic development and sector. It will foster our cooperation using the European Commission and native partners in delivering much more targeted support for key projects underneath the Commission's Economic and Investment Plan and Global Getaway initiative.”
The new EIB representation office in Skopje will let the EU bank to increase its operational capacity under its new branch “EIB Global” and develop closer relations with national authorities, project promoters, local organisations and banking institutions. By doing this, the EU bank hopes to accelerate new initiatives and enhance project identification, preparation, the securing of financing and execution according to guidelines. It will continue to support the public sector and also increase its support for the private sector in the country.
Bj”orn Gabriel, appointed EIB representative for North Macedonia, continues to be using the EIB for 14 years. Until recently, he's headed the Policies & Operations team at the EIB Group Representation to the Eu in Brussels, working closely with EU institutions, Member States and think tanks to assist determine the Bank`s contribution to key EU policies and initiatives across a variety of sectors, including the Western Balkans region and enlargement policy. EIB Global will do everything it may to exhibit that the EIB's advisory and financial support granted in cooperation using the European Commission and our financial partners accelerates growth, makes rural areas more prosperous, brings sustainable transformation across the country and strengthens the local economy.
Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski stressed that the very opening of a representative office of the European Investment Bank within our country is really a strong message, in addition to a recognition for North Macedonia’s efforts to make energy transition, environmental protection, sustainable transport, local economic development and private sector, top priorities.
“In the time from 1991 until nowadays, the EIB provided EUR 1 billion as support for the social and the economic development along the way of our country’s accession to the EU by financing small- and medium-sized enterprises, transport, energy and utility infrastructure projects. At the moment, funds amounting to EUR 246.9 million meant for co-financing public sector projects, offer the ongoing implementation from the Water Supply and Wastewater Collection Project, COVID-19 Reponses North Macedonia – DBNM for Financing Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Mid-Caps Companies, Gas Interconnector Greece- North Macedonia, North Macedonia Part, in addition to Wastewater Treatment Plant Skopje”, the Prime Minister Kovacevski said.
Minister of Finance of North Macedonia Famir Besimi underlined that EIB office opening is proof for close cooperation between EU and Republic of North Macedonia in EU accession process.
“Eastern a part of rail Corridor VIII, the last section Kriva Palanka – Border with Bulgaria, Gas – Interconnector with Greece, upon which we already signed legal documents with EIB, as well as continued the financial support for financing small-nd medium-sized enterprises with new line of credit, are just among the projects that are going to be carried out with the support in the European Investment Bank. We sincerely appreciate EIB's decision to spread out office in Skopje, thus supporting the federal government in advancing the implementation from the Economic Investment Plan”, Minister Besimi stated.
Head of EU Delegation in North Macedonia David Geer stated: “The opening of the new EIB Representation Office in Skopje offers an excellent chance to strengthen our support for North Macedonia. By working together on the ground as Team Europe – the EU, EU Member States and the EIB as our foremost lender – can continue to make a real contribution to the country, strengthening the economy, creating jobs and making a practical impact on the lives of citizens.”
The EIB is a long-standing partner to North Macedonia and started operations in the country in 1977. Since then, it's invested EUR1.1 billion to aid the introduction of vital infrastructure and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Since 2009, the EIB has unlocked EUR635 million for SMEs and mid-caps in North Macedonia, sustaining near to 100 000 jobs in the process. Over the same period, it's allocated over EUR277 million towards the construction of the modern transport network in North Macedonia, contributing to road safety, reduced travel times and regional cohesion. In water and wastewater infrastructure, the EIB has invested EUR128 million to date, which has helped improve use of h2o and sanitation services for individuals in North Macedonia, while also reducing water pollution. The EIB is financing the construction of the wastewater plant in Skopje, that is a major environmental project.
About the EIB:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lender of the European Union owned by its Member States. It can make long-term finance readily available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. https://www.eib.org/en/
About the EIB in North Macedonia:
The EIB continues to be active in the territory of North Macedonia since its establishment in 1991, providing finance to support key infrastructure projects, local authorities and small and medium-sized enterprises. The EIB has provided EUR1.1 billion of financing to SMEs and transport, energy and utility infrastructure projects. To learn more regarding the EIB's projects in North Macedonia, please go to: North Macedonia and the EIB
About the EIB in the Western Balkans:
The EIB is among the leading international financiers within the Western Balkans. For detailed information on the EIB's activities within the Western Balkans, please visit the following link: www.eib.org/en/publications/the-eib-in-the-western-balkans
About EIB Global
EIB Global is the EIB Group's new specialised arm focused on increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within Team Europe, alongside fellow development banking companies and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group nearer to residents, companies and institutions through our offices all over the world.
Press contacts:
EIB Group: Gordana Kovacevic, [email protected], tel.: +381 60 323 343 5
Website: www.eib.org/press – Press Office: +352 4379 21000 – [email protected]
