The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending up to $5 million to the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank to help micro, small, and medium-sized businesses across the Kyrgyz Republic get easier access to financing, the EBRD said in the announcement. The senior loan, offered in synthetic Kyrgyz som, aims to expand credit for smaller companies.
The partnership with KICB builds on a relationship that started in 2000. MSMEs form the backbone of the Kyrgyz economy but often struggle to get loans from traditional sources.
The new financing is designed to give these businesses better access to capital they need to grow, hire workers, and contribute to local development. KICB will use the money to expand its lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
The loan reflects the EBRD’s work to support inclusive economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic. By helping smaller businesses access finance, the bank aims to create opportunities that reach more people and communities. The synthetic som structure helps manage currency risk for both the lender and borrowers.
Since starting operations in the Kyrgyz Republic in 1992, the EBRD has invested over €1 billion through 277 projects. Most of that money has gone to sustainable infrastructure and private sector development, with a focus on companies and sectors that can drive long-term growth.
