The Greek Assure Fund (GGF), a monetary initiative that offered assist to Greek SMEs and mid-caps, introduced its profitable completion after having enabled €600 million in financing to Greek firms.
The information was introduced by the The European Funding Financial institution (EIB) and the Hellenic Republic, the previous of which offered the financing.
“The Greek Assure Fund is a outstanding instance of how revolutionary monetary instruments can ship actual impression when there’s sturdy alignment between nationwide priorities and European monetary experience. At a time of outstanding stress on the Greek economic system, this initiative ensured that lots of of companies may entry reasonably priced financing and proceed to develop, innovate, and protect jobs,” stated EIB Vice-President Yannis Tsakiris.
Launched in 2014, the GGF aimed to boost entry to finance for Greek companies, stimulate job creation, and contribute to the restoration of the nationwide economic system. Over the course of its implementation, the GGF enabled EIB financing to greater than 800 SMEs and mid-caps throughout the nation.
The fund was established with the target of stimulating lending to Greek SMEs and mid-cap firms by offering low-interest financing by way of native associate banks. To encourage monetary establishments to lend extra readily, it additionally aimed to offset credit score threat. This assist allowed companies throughout the nation to maintain operations, put money into modernisation, and retain or create jobs.
A variety of sectors reportedly benefited from the initiative, together with agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, power, know-how, and providers. With the backing of those funds, Greek firms have been in a position to increase manufacturing capability, put money into new applied sciences and tools, and enhance their competitiveness each domestically and overseas.
Regardless of its completion, new monetary devices are being developed below broader European frameworks such because the Restoration and Resilience Facility (RRF), the InvestEU programme, and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). These future initiatives are anticipated to prioritise the inexperienced and digital transitions, the scaling up of innovation-driven companies, larger assist for women- and youth-led enterprises, and the promotion of monetary inclusion in underserved areas.
“The EIB is proud to have partnered with the Hellenic Republic on this necessary mission, and we sit up for constructing on this legacy to assist much more formidable tasks sooner or later,” added Tsakiris.
Regardless of vital macroeconomic headwinds, the GGF helped to safeguard an important segments of the Greek economic system, by bettering liquidity situations and lowering borrowing prices, allowed SMBs to take a position, develop, and innovate at a time when entry to finance was severely constrained – as per the EIB.
The GGF stands as a mannequin of cooperation between the EIB and the Hellenic Republic. Its implementation aimed to display how focused monetary devices can ship tangible advantages for companies and residents, even in difficult environments.
The EIB outlines that the GGf’s legacy will function a basis for future efforts to assist SMEs, enhance innovation, and drive long-term financial progress in Greece and past.
