The FINANCIAL — The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Sir Suma Chakrabarti is visiting three Western Balkans countries of operations next week in the first phase of his wider regional tour.
President Chakrabarti will visit Kosovo on 25 July, Albania on 26 July and Montenegro on 27-28 July 2016.
He will meet top officials in all three countries to discuss the growing importance of the Western Balkans for the EBRD and its role in the region.
The President will also meet representatives of the business and diplomatic communities and other international financial institutions active in the region. He will sign loan agreements in Kosovo, launch an agriculture financing facility in Albania and attend a ground-breaking ceremony for an agricultural distribution centre in Montenegro, according to EBRD.
President Chakrabarti said ahead of the visit: “The Western Balkans is one of our priorities. We initiated a new dialogue between the countries’ prime ministers two years ago at the inaugural Western Balkans Summit held at the EBRD’s London headquarters, and earlier this year we hosted regional prime ministers and business leaders alongside hundreds of foreign investors at a follow up Western Balkans Investment Summit, also at the EBRD’s headquarters. I am glad to see that the new format of regional cooperation, now known as the “Berlin Process”, is gaining momentum. We remain committed to actively supporting regional integration, including better connectivity in areas of transport and energy. I am looking forward to deepening our cooperation further and discussing new ideas during my visits to the region.”
The EBRD is one of the largest investors in the Western Balkans.
In Kosovo, the EBRD has invested over €203 million in 48 projects (which will increase to 50 projects with two planned signings during the President’s visit).
In Albania, total EBRD investment has reached €1.056 billion in 74 projects.
In Montenegro, the Bank has invested nearly €530 million in 53 projects.
In late August this year, the President of the EBRD will also visit Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
