The SME Initiative in Romania, seeks to provide new financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country. Five Romanian banks have signed on to the initiative, which is managed by the EIB Group (European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund), the Government of Romania and the European Commission. Raiffeisen Bank, ProCredit Bank Romania, Banca Comerciala Romana, Banca Transilvania and BancPost are a part of the initiative.

The agreements with the five banks aim to facilitate access to finance for Romanian SMEs by providing a 60% guarantee on each loan and by lowering the interest rates charged by banks. Around 3,700 SMEs and start-ups in need of finance are expected to benefit.

Romania is contributing EUR 100 million from its European Regional Development Fund to this EU initiative, which, together with resources from the EIB Group and the Horizon 2020 programme, will be leveraged with commercial lending through a risk-sharing mechanism.