EIB and HBOR sign €300 million deal to boost Croatian SME growth and sustainability
The European Investment Bank and Croatia's HBOR have signed a €300 million loan to strengthen long-term financing for local SMEs, with 30% earmarked for sustainability.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) have signed a €300 million loan agreement to expand access to long-term financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Croatia.
Announced during the 'Places to Stay, Regions to Grow: Investing in Croatia' conference, the deal aims to help Croatian businesses modernize operations, adopt new technologies, and expand production. According to the EIB, 30% of the financing is reserved for sustainability initiatives, supporting innovation and green investments.
The new loan is part of a broader €500 million EIB financing package for HBOR, strengthening the Croatian development bank’s role as a key financial intermediary for the private sector. Marko Primorac, EIB Vice-President, and Hrvoje Čuvalo, HBOR’s President of the Management Board, both highlighted the importance of the partnership in fostering competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
EIB officials emphasized that improved access to capital will allow SMEs to invest in modernization, which is vital for their ability to compete in European and global markets. Companies facing persistent financing gaps may find these new resources essential for maintaining and expanding their operations.
The agreement is expected to support job creation and innovation across Croatia, while helping businesses transition to greener practices. However, ongoing challenges in the Croatian business environment mean that further efforts may be needed to fully close the financing gap for SMEs.
For further details, see the EIB press release.
