EBRD lends €40 million to AikLeasing to support Serbian SMEs and green investment

• €40 million facility for AikLeasing comprises a €30 million FIF SME loan and a €10 million SME Go Green loan
• At least 30 per cent of FIF SME loan and 100 per cent of SME Go Green loan will support green investment
• Facility will support women-led SMEs, agribusinesses and companies outside Belgrade

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a comprehensive financing facility of up to €40 million to AikLeasing, helping it to increase access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Serbia and support investment in green technologies and sustainable business practices.

The facility consists of two loans: a €30 million loan under the EBRD’s Financial Intermediaries Framework (FIF) SME programme and a €10 million loan under the SME Go Green programme. Both loans will be fully guaranteed by AikBank.

This financing will help AikLeasing to expand its lending to SMEs, including businesses led by women, agricultural producers and companies operating outside the capital city. It will also support investments that help companies to improve productivity, competitiveness and alignment with European and other international standards.

The FIF SME loan will enable AikLeasing to support private-sector SMEs throughout Serbia, with at least 30 per cent of the proceeds expected to finance green investments. This will help to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the SME sector while improving access to long-term financing.

The SME Go Green loan will provide financing for investment in energy- and resource-efficient technologies and support the adoption of international standards. All financing under this programme is expected to qualify as green investment and be aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. At least one-third of this financing is expected to support agribusiness value chains, while women-led businesses will benefit from dedicated assistance and advisory services.

Under SME Go Green programme, on successful completion of their investment projects, SMEs will be eligible for an EU grant equal to 10 per cent of the loan amount, with a higher figure of 15 per cent for investments in renewable energy and the agribusiness value chain. In addition to such grant incentives, SMEs will also benefit from EU-funded technical assistance, helping them to prioritise their investments and structure them accordingly.

Founded in 2024, AikLeasing is a wholly owned subsidiary of AikBank. It has rapidly expanded its operations, establishing a net lease portfolio of €130 million and serving more than 900 clients across Serbia. The company provides leasing solutions for a wide range of assets, including commercial vehicles, passenger cars, agricultural machinery and construction equipment.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Serbia. To date, the Bank has invested over €11 billion in the country through more than 410 projects, with a strong focus on private-sector competitiveness, sustainable infrastructure, green economy investments and financial-sector development.