EBRD supports Romanian retailer Profi in supply chain transition

EBRD support of €10 million in local currency for Romanian retail chain Profi Bank partners with Banca Transilvania to enhance Profi’s supply chain finance programme Project includes advisory support and EU sustainability incentives     The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has partnered with Banca Transilvania to enhance the supply chain finance programme for Profi Rom Food SRL, a leading retail chain operating in Romania.    The EBRD is taking on risk of up to €10 million in local currency on expanding Profi’s supply chain finance programme for the benefit of Profi’s suppliers.       The EBRD’s unfunded risk participation will help grow Profi’s existing supply chain finance programme, administered by Banca Transilvania, by the local-currency equivalent of €20 million, with the EBRD taking 50 per cent of the risk.  This is the EBRD’s first supply chain finance transaction in Romania that supports a domestic value chain.    Profi operates 1,750 local convenience stores across the country, under three brands: Super (mid-sized to large stores), Go (convenience stores) and Loco (stores in rural areas).    The EBRD's top-up is expected to enable more suppliers to access affordable working capital solutions, fostering growth and financial stability across Profi’s supply chain. Profi has up to 1800 suppliers nationwide, and more of them will be brought into the programme. The project aligns with the EBRD’s Country Strategy for Romania, which aims to enhance SME development and strengthen local supply chains.    Participating suppliers will also benefit from the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) programme and external consultant expertise, which will support them to develop effective green transition plans, adapt innovative solutions into their operations and publish Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments.     The Science Based Targets initiative is a global body that enables businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science.   Suppliers who adopt and publish SBTi commitments will then be eligible for up to €25,000 each of cash incentives from the European Union’s funding programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe tackles climate change, helps achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. The cash incentives are designed to promote, encourage and support innovation in SMEs and mid-caps.     “The EBRD remains committed to fostering innovation and sustainability within Romania’s retail sector. By enhancing Profi’s supply chain finance programme, we aim to empower SMEs, promote sustainable practices, and create significant economic impact in line with our broader strategy for the region,” said Victoria  Zinchuk, EBRD Head of Romania.    Andrei Bica, Chief Financial Officer of Profi, said: “Fostering the relationship with our suppliers, especially local producers and those belonging to the SME segment, by offering them access to supply chain financing as a straightforward tool to further develop their business, is one of Profi’s commitments. We are in the middle of the financing ecosystem through this simple, easy to access and very convenient financial mechanism, creating the liaison between our suppliers on one hand and our respected banking partners on the other hand with the common goal to further develop the Romanian modern trade industry”.    Cosmin Calin, Executive Director Large Corporate Division at Banca Transilvania, said: “We are grateful to the EBRD for its commitment to developing supply chain financing locally. Together, we can further expand the accessibility of producers to such an effective cash-flow management tool, while offering our clients an additional instrument for supply chain risk management.”  To date, the EBRD has invested almost €11.5 billion across 550 projects in Romania. A significant share of its funding supports private sector development, sustainability, and innovation.