The support of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Bulgaria represents 1.43% of the country's GDP, which ranks us 3rd among EU member states.
In 2021, the EIB provided loans, guarantees and equity commitments to finance various projects in Bulgaria amounting to EUR 948 million, and the total amount of financing increased by 114% compared to 2020. EUR 176 million is the value of EIB loans to Bulgaria for sustainable infrastructure, green urban development and business. Another 772m euros have been channeled by the European Investment Fund into new operations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The financial support has reached 5900 companies and a total of 126 000 jobs.
A study by the EIB Group shows that in 2021 Bulgarian companies were more optimistic than in 2020. Most of them expect an increase in investment (about 9% net). Large companies and companies in the services sector are most likely to increase investment in 2021.
As a continuation of the EIB Group's investments in our country, the EIF signed the first deal of its kind in Southeast Europe with the start-up financial and technological company CFN AD. During a press conference held in Sofia, the EIF and CFN signed an agreement that will create an opportunity for bridge financing in the infrastructure construction sector through factoring deals worth up to 150m euros.
