The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, said on April 15 that it has signed guarantee agreements with 11 banks and financial intermediaries in the Western Balkans. These agreements will enable local banks and financial institutions to build a portfolio of SME loans for an aggregate amount well above €750mn, along with additional ones expected to be signed in the first half of 2024. The funding will facilitated concessional loans to some 13 000 small businesses, sustaining around 180 000 jobs. According to Serbian news agency Tanjug, €250mn will be allocated for Serbia. EIF s…
