LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), February 13 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Wednesday it has adopted a new country strategy for Slovenia for the period 2019-2024, through which it will aim to boost competitiveness and back the country's transition to a green economy.

To achieve these strategic priorities, the EBRD will champion privatisations, while deploying cutting-edge instruments to support private companies, and  promote new green technologies, the lender said in a press release.

The EBRD will focus on maximising impact where market instruments are scarce, it stressed. “Examples include equity financing, structured debt, capital market instruments, cross-border investments and green economy technologies.”

The EBRD noted that its country strategy for Slovenia is also aligned with the government’s Slovenia development strategy 2030 especially in the areas of privatisation, corporate governance, capital market development, green economy, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The lender also said Slovenia is one of the most advanced countries within the EBRD regions. “The country is highly competitive and has many vibrant small businesses, but there remains room for improvement in innovation, governance and energy intensity,” it noted.

“While the economy has registered steady growth in recent years, the medium-term outlook will depend on the continuation of structural reforms. Reviving private sector productivity growth is key to the further convergence of the Slovenian economy.

To date, the EBRD has invested more than 1 billion euro ($1.1 billion) in 85 projects in the country.

($=0.88511 euro)

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