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2012-05-14 00:00:00
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These banks will be responsible for the assessment of the credit worthiness of the SMEs applying for grants and will provide funding to those SMEs who need resources for the implementation of their projects.
“The EBRD’s facility launched today is the first co-financing instrument alongside EU Structural Funds targeting sustainable energy investments in the SME sector. The programme is designed to help Bulgarian SMEs reduce their energy consumption and carbon foot print. It is also expected to have an important demonstration effect of using highly efficient technologies as a means of improving competitiveness,” said Jean Marc Peterschmitt, EBRD Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe.
“The Green Economy Programme brings considerable financing for the development of local companies and will contribute to raising the overall competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy. The programme will be available in the market until the end of 2013 when the current implementation timetable for EU Structural Funds ends. We anticipate this programme to be fully implemented by then. Any future programmes for energy efficiency in enterprises will offer significantly lower levels of grant support in line with EU objectives to promote market sustainability. Companies are encouraged to take advantage of this scheme while the funds remain available,” said Delian Dobrev, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
Since the beginning of its operations in Bulgaria the EBRD has invested more than €2.5 billion in over 200 projects in various sectors of the country’s economy. With total project value exceeding €8 billion, the EBRD’s funds have helped mobilise over €5.5 billion in co-financing from other sources.
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