European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to focus on green transition and efficient infrastructure over next five years.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its new country plan for Kosovo, with the approval of the Kosovo government.
The new country plan will help to direct how the EBRD engages across the Balkan country, and has set three priority areas for the next five years:
- Transition to the green economy
- More efficient infrastructure
- Stronger regional interconnectivity
EBRD Head of Kosovo, Neil Taylor, said: “Our new country strategy marks a new era of engagement for the EBRD in Kosovo. We share the same priorities as the government to create more opportunities in the private sector for all citizens, to weather the current energy crisis and move forward with green transition, and to speed up infrastructure projects such as the railway and wastewater treatment”.
The EBRD not only provides financing for Kosovo but engages in policy and legal reform in areas such as energy transition, reforms of publicly owned enterprises and higher standards of corporate governance.
The new country plan also deepens the relationship between the EBRD and Kosovo after the Kosovo capital, Pristina, adopted a Green City Action Plan last year, developed under the EBRD Green Cities programme.
Kosovo became a shareholder in the EBRD, and a full country of operations, just ten years ago. Since then, a resident office was opened in Pristina and the bank’s investment in the country has grown considerably, reaching €583m as of 2021.
