Skopje: Matteo Patrone, the Vice President for Banking at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), recently completed his first official visit to North Macedonia.
According to Trend News Agency, the visit marked a significant step in strengthening the EBRD’s engagement with the country. During his stay on September 10-11, Patrone met with several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Finance and EBRD Governor Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski.
During these meetings, Patrone signed three key financing deals with private-sector clients. The agreements included a 20 million euros risk-sharing facility (RSF) with ProCredit Bank Macedonia (PCBM). This marked the EBRD’s first RSF with PCBM and the second of its kind in North Macedonia. The facility will enable PCBM to share risk with the EBRD on selected client exposures, with the latter providing guarantees for up to 50 percent of the designated portfolio. This strategy is designed to enhance PCBM’s capacity to support local businesses by providing relief on capital and exposure limits.
In addition, Patrone signed the third tranche of a loan agreement with Varus DOOEL, an exclusive distributor of Merck’s products in North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. The funds will be used to finance the acquisition of additional land and refurbish the company’s administrative facility, as part of a larger financing package amounting to 4.6 million euros. This investment aims to support the development of a new logistics and warehousing center and upgrade existing infrastructure.
The EBRD also continues to support competitiveness in the food and agribusiness sector in North Macedonia. As part of this initiative, Sparkasse Bank will provide a loan of up to 2.5 million euros to local food producer Makprogres DOO Vinica, with the EBRD guaranteeing up to 1.25 million euros through an unfunded RSF. The financing is intended to meet the company’s working capital needs, enabling it to pursue its growth strategy and contribute to the local economy.
Commenting on the visit, Patrone stated that the EBRD’s engagement in North Macedonia highlights its role as a key partner in the Western Balkans. The visit allowed for formalizing important agreements and engaging in constructive dialogue with government officials, thereby supporting the country’s progress toward sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Since North Macedonia joined the EBRD in 1993, the Bank has invested over 3 billion euros in 205 projects in the country, including 151 million euros through 13 projects in 2024.