The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed two new financing operations of €100 million each with the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye (TKYB) and Türk Eximbank to support clean energy and energy efficiency investments by Turkish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps, according to a press release by the EIB. The two Turkish banks will on-lend the funds to companies investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The financing will support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen supply chains and energy security, and enhance climate resilience. It is also intended to create new green jobs across Türkiye. The agreement marks the EIB’s renewed engagement in the country.
The EIB has been active in Türkiye since 1965, investing nearly €31 billion primarily in the country’s SME, transport and energy sectors. Over the decades, it has financed transport, urban infrastructure, climate action, energy, agriculture and private sector growth. The new operations mark a renewed phase of cooperation between the EIB and Turkish institutions. They were signed during EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot’s first official visit to the country. The delegation also held discussions with Turkish government officials on sustainable transport, infrastructure and private sector support.
The delegation traveled to Hatay, in Türkiye’s southernmost province, one of the regions hardest hit by the 2023 earthquakes. There, the EIB is supporting the reconstruction of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure through a €400 million operation, part of broader EU support. These investments are helping restore essential services and improve living conditions. They also support rebuilding infrastructure to higher standards, reducing water losses and better preparing the region for future challenges. Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek welcomed the EIB’s return to Türkiye.
“These signatures mark a new phase of cooperation between the EIB and Türkiye,” said EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot. He noted that working with the two Turkish banks would allow the EIB to reach companies throughout the country and support their transition to a more sustainable and resilient future. TKYB Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Halil Öztop stated that the agreement represents another significant step toward a more sustainable, resilient and competitive Turkish economy. Türk Eximbank CEO Ali Güney noted that the bank’s total volume of international funding dedicated to green transformation has reached USD 1.9 billion with this transaction. He added that the agreement provides strong financial support for exporters complying with environmental regulations in key markets, particularly within the EU.
EU Ambassador Designate to Türkiye Aivo Orav described the signatures as an important step in the renewed engagement of the EIB in Türkiye. He noted that EU support to Türkiye now spans both reconstruction in earthquake-affected regions and forward-looking investments in sustainable infrastructure. These include clean transport and rail connectivity. The renewed cooperation aims to translate shared priorities into concrete investments for people, businesses and regions across Türkiye. The EIB Group, owned by the 27 EU Member States, signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services in 2025 for over 870 high-impact projects.
