TIRANA, Oct 13 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Charlotte Ruhe, Director for Central and Southeastern Europe at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), stated today that “EBRD is the largest financier in the region, with €21 billion invested to date.”
Ruhe attended the opening panel of the EU–Western Balkans Investment Forum, where she discussed EBRD’s investments in the region.
She highlighted that in 2024 alone, EBRD invested €1.6 million in 16 projects across the region.
“We have a team of 150 staff working across the six countries, allowing us to collaborate closely with both the European Commission and local governments. Our policy priorities include boosting private sector competitiveness, reforming bankruptcy legislation, and addressing issues related to land ownership titles, which often present significant challenges,” she explained.
Ruhe emphasized that the EBRD has been highly active within the framework of the Green Agenda, promoting renewable energy and assisting the governments of Albania and Serbia with their energy auctions.
“We finance renewable energy projects in all six of these countries,” she said.
Ruhe also highlighted that the EBRD is working closely with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the Corridor VIII railway, which runs through Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
“These projects need more than just one international financial partner and often call for significantly stronger backing from our partner governments, especially since they also receive EU grants,” Ruhe explained.
Regarding energy connectivity, Ruhe highlighted that the EBRD is financing the gas interconnector between North Macedonia and Greece, as well as the transmission pipeline that runs from Montenegro and crosses under the sea to Italy via an underwater cable.
Looking ahead, the EBRD has a strategic investment framework in place. However, Ruhe emphasized the need for greater efforts to improve the efficiency and transparency of state-owned enterprises. She stressed that executive leadership should remain stable regardless of political changes and should operate professionally, with a strong focus on developing human capital.
Ruhe also assured that the EBRD will step up its efforts in green energy by ensuring that transmission system operators receive the necessary support for investments.
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