EBRD supports trade in Lebanon

Strengthening trade from and within Lebanon, the EBRD is providing a US$ 75 million trade finance line to Bank Audi, the largest commercial bank in Lebanon and one of the leading regional banks. By joining the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), Bank Audi will become the third issuing bank in Lebanon.

The accord will allow Bank Audi to benefit from EBRD trade finance guarantees which cover the political and commercial payment risk of trade transactions. The facility will support regional integration through trade and increased access to finance for importing and exporting firms in Lebanon, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

Launched in 1999, the EBRD’s TFP aims to promote foreign trade to, from and among the EBRD regions. Through the Programme, the EBRD has financed more than 22,500 foreign trade transactions for a total of more than €16.5 billion. Currently over 100 issuing banks in 26 countries participate in the Programme, together with over 800 confirming banks and their subsidiaries around the world.

In September 2017, Lebanon joined the EBRD’s Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, which is currently the fastest-growing region of EBRD’s operations. The region includes Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, where the EBRD has been investing and has engaged in policy reforms since 2012, as well as the West Bank and Gaza since May 2017. In only six years, the EBRD has invested over €8.2 billion in 196 projects across the SEMED region, including six projects in Lebanon.

Original source: EBRD
Published on 12 December 2018