The BSTDB will make available a USD 5.5 million SME Leasing Facility to Demir Romlease S.A. Romania. Demir Romlease S.A. will use the Facility for leasing capital goods and equipment to Romanian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Large companies can also benefit from the Facility if the leased goods originate from one of the BSTDB member countries.

Following conclusion of this first SME Leasing Facility, BSTDB plans to expand the cooperation with leasing companies in all its member countries and to increase its financial support to the leasing sector. By financing leading leasing companies in the Black Sea region, BSTDB aims to support the development of sound leasing practices, improve access of SMEs to medium-term financing of capital goods and promote intra-regional cooperation.

Demir Romlease S.A. is one of the most reputable leasing companies in Romania with an estimated 20% market share in equipment leasing in the country. The Company is mainly owned by UniCredito Italiano (Italy), a leading European financial group active in the Central and Eastern Europe. Other shareholders include IFC (World Bank Group), DEG (Germany), FMO (Netherlands), and SIF Muntenia (Romania) who provide equity and funding to the Company.

Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. With an authorized capital of SDR 1 billion (approx. USD 1,3 billion), the Bank supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing financing for investment projects and trade transactions in public and private sectors in its member countries. Since the commencement of operations in 1999, BSTDB’s Board of Directors has approved operations totaling over USD 430 million.