The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) seeks to develop the private sector in the former east bloc countries and also, since 2012, the countries on Europe’s southernmost border.

Switzerland is an active member of the Board of Directors and also implements development projects in conjunction with the EBRD.

EBRD PM 2023
SECO-EBRD Partnership Meeting, February 2023, London: EBRD and SECO reaffirmed the long-standing SECO-EBRD partnership, which is committed to innovative and effective solutions for promoting the private sector and the sustainable development of new markets in transition and developing countries. SECO and EBRD also underscored the importance of establishing partnerships between development actors to address climate change and global crises.

Role and activities of the EBRD

The EBRD was established after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Its mission is to support transition in the countries formerly under Soviet influence in their efforts towards democracy and a market economy. Following the Arab Spring, the EBRD extended its mandate to a number of North African countries.

The EBRD’s activities are mainly directed at strengthening the private sector. It does this by supporting businesses in a wide variety of sectors by way of loans, guarantees and investing in equity capital. A third of the EBRD’s activities are devoted to reducing the carbon footprint of recipient countries.


Switzerland campaigns for the EBRD to replicate project approaches that have proven successful.


Switzerland and the EBRD

Switzerland has been a member of the EBRD since the establishment of the Bank in 1991 and has one member on the Board of Directors. The Swiss Director heads the constituency also comprising Ukraine, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Liechtenstein, Montenegro and Turkmenistan. Through its direct representation on the Board of Directors, Switzerland actively participates in the EBRD’s institutional and strategic decisions, thereby fulfilling its supervisory function as a shareholder.

Swiss objectives for cooperation with the EBRD

Apart from institutional cooperation on the Board of Directors, Switzerland and the EBRD cooperate on development projects. Switzerland’s main focus is on the following areas:

  • infrastructure projects in relation to water and waste management and
  • projects for strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises and local financial institutions.

 

Last modification 20.06.2023

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