EBRD invests over 800 mln euros in Serbia in 2025

LONDON - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested over 800 mln euros in Serbia in 2025 through 42 projects, it said on Thursday.

In a statement, the EBRD said 84 pct of that investment had been directed to the private sector, with a particular focus on boosting the resilience and competitiveness of SMEs.

"In 2025, we delivered another year of exceptional results in Serbia. We maintained very high levels of investment and directed an increasing share of the total to the private sector, particularly to SMEs. With over 800 mln euros being invested in 2025, the total capital deployed in Serbia to date has passed the 10 bln mark, which is testimony to the strength and depth of our partnerships in the country. With a steadily growing hub in Belgrade, we are committed to continuing to scale up our activities to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the Serbian economy,” said EBRD Regional Director for the Western Balkans Matteo Colangeli.

"In 2025, nearly half of the Bank’s total investment in Serbia was channelled through our network of partner financial institutions, local banks and leasing companies, largely for the ultimate benefit of SMEs. This took the form of a broad range of targeted financial products, aimed at boosting investment in the green and digital transitions, improving access to finance for youth- and women-led enterprises, and boosting trade. In addition to finance, we also helped SMEs with access to know-how through tailor-made advisory services in order to increase competitiveness and support integration into international value chains. Serbia’s innovation ecosystem remained a priority, with our Star Venture Programme supporting 31 high‑potential startups and training over 200 early‑stage entrepreneurs.

In the corporate sector, the EBRD extended growth and sustainability-linked finance to local companies in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, agribusiness and technology sectors. It also provided cofinancing alongside foreign direct investors, particularly for real estate projects.

Environmental infrastructure continued to be an important priority, with the launch of an air quality improvement programme targeting the replacement of polluting boiler houses and the introduction of alternative sustainable heating in several municipalities across the country. Transport was also supported, with financing being provided to Serbia Voz for the purchase of sleeping cars for international rail routes.

The Bank also helped to strengthen and green Serbia’s energy sector, providing extensive technical assistance in support of the country’s second renewables auction. That auction allocated 645 MW across 10 wind and solar projects, helping to deliver more competitively priced clean energy to the Serbian economy.

The EBRD is the leading institutional investor in Serbia, having invested more than 10.6 bln euros through 404 projects to date. The Bank’s focus in Serbia is on private-sector competitiveness, the green economy and sustainable infrastructure," the EBRD also said.