Increase in EBRD Funding Boosts Hungarian Programs in 2024
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reported a significant increase in its financing programs for Hungary in 2024. The EBRD disbursed €137 million for 14 financing programs in the country, nearly doubling the value of new financing provided compared to the previous year.
The EBRD’s focus in Hungary was primarily on the corporate sector, which received 55% of the total financing value, while the financial services sector received 45%. The institution participated in bond programs of major banks such as OTP Bank, Erste Bank, UniCredit, and Raiffeisen within the Hungarian financial sector.
Notably, 65% of the investments made by the EBRD in Hungary in 2024 were for green projects. Anca Ionescu, director of the EBRD’s programs in Hungary, highlighted the institution’s emphasis on capital market development, innovative investments, and initiatives to reduce emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources.
Overall, the EBRD disbursed a record amount of €16.6 billion to its member countries in 2024, representing a 26% increase from the previous year. The number of programs financed also reached a record high of 584 transactions in the EBRD’s area of operations.
Private sectors in beneficiary economies received 76% of EBRD financing, with a total of €12.5 billion allocated to private companies in 2024. Additionally, the EBRD provided €2.4 billion in assistance to Ukraine last year, with a significant portion supporting the country’s energy sector.
The bank mobilized an additional €2.6 billion in funding from donor peers for Ukraine since the conflict erupted in 2022. The EBRD’s efforts to support green projects, gender-related initiatives, and private sector development demonstrate its commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth in the region.
