EBRD launches research programme for SMEs in 6 European countries

Automation & RoboticsBusinessSouth-East European INDUSTRIAL Мarket - issue 2/2020 • 22.06.2020

EBRD launches research programme for SMEs in 6 European countries

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is launching a new research programme that will support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in countries where the Bank invests. It will provide research coverage for selected SMEs listed on the stock exchanges in Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. The new programme is designed to create free, publicly available research reports to overcome information barriers that obstruct market liquidity. Making markets more transparent by increasing the amount of reliable data is regarded as key to increasing the availability of financing for SMEs.

The duration of the programme is two years. It will be conducted by WOOD & Company, an investment bank specialising in emerging markets. The programme corresponds entirely to the objectives of the European Commission’s Action Plan on Building a Capital Markets Union, which specifically mentions improving access to finance and risk capital for SMEs as one of the five priority areas. Four reports were published at the launch of the programme at the end of May, with the remaining to follow in the months ahead. At least five reports per company will be produced during the project period. The prepared reports are publicly available free of charge on the newly created Listed SME Research Hub.

“We see enormous potential for Bulgarian SMEs and we are glad that four companies will be part of this very important programme. It is a great opportunity to get more visibility, attract investors and develop European business horizons for the selected ambitious SMEs,” said Manyu Moravenov, CEO, Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE).

The following companies participate in the programme: Gradus AD, Monbat, Sirma Group Holding JSC, Sopharma AD (Bulgaria); AD PLASTIK d.d., Arena Hospitality Group d.d., Ilirija Resort, Zagreb Stock Exchange (Croatia); Alkaloid AD Skopje, Komercijalna banka AD, NLB Banka AD (North Macedonia); BittNet, Conpet SA, Patria Bank, Teraplast (Romania); Fintel Energija ad (Serbia); Pozavarovalnica Sava RE (Slovenia).

Top