EIB Group's Financial Support in Bulgaria Sees Significant Increase in 2023, The investment by the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), encompassing the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), witnessed a substantial growth in Bulgaria in 2023, with funding reaching €1.11 billion. This represents a more than twofold increase compared to the previous year. The enhanced financial support is anticipated to trigger over €5.4 billion in investments, facilitating the development of a more advanced, sustainable, and resilient economy.

The bulk of the 2023 financial assistance was channeled into initiatives aimed at bolstering Bulgaria's social and economic convergence with the broader European Union framework. Notably, a significant portion, approximately 20%, was allocated to initiatives focused on climate action and environmental sustainability. The efforts of the EIB Group last year benefitted roughly 8,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps, supporting approximately 181,000 jobs within the country.

EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris, during a press briefing in Sofia, reflected on the year's achievements: “2023 was an exceptionally strong year for our activities in Bulgaria, with a marked increase in the demand for our financing. Our aim is to leverage our expertise and provide long-term funding under favorable conditions, thereby bolstering the resilience and competitive edge of Bulgarian private and public sectors.”

In 2023, the EIB Group's financial contributions in Bulgaria accounted for 1.17% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), ranking it among the top three EU nations based on this measure, alongside Estonia and Romania.