EIB may open $100m credit line for small business in Belarus

      The European Investment Bank is mulling over a credit line of $100 million for small and medium-sized business promotion in Belarus, First Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Krutoi said at the meeting of the second session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly as he presented a draft law on the ratification of a framework agreement between Belarus and the European Investment Bank, BelTA reported.

"With the ratification of this agreement, Belarus is back on the European investment agenda," said Dmitry Krutoi.  According to the first deputy minister, among the priority activities of the bank is the provision of loans for small and medium-sized business. 30% of its resources were used to promote such enterprises last year. Absolutely all sectors of the economy can be provided with these funds. "We are looking into the opportunity of opening a credit line of up to $100 million through a partner bank, Belarusbank. A primary audit of the credit department of the Belarusian bank was carried out to check the quality of expertise of these projects," he added.