Garanti BBVA and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have signed a strategic agreement to provide guarantees of a minimum of 30 million euros, to enhance Romanian companies` competitiveness and sustainability. The InvestEU guarantees will enable Garanti BBVA to facilitate a minimum of €42 million in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Romania, driving growth and supporting the country’s transition to a sustainable economy. Through this collaboration with EIF, Garanti BBVA is launching two new guarantee programs designed to address key challenges for Romanian enterprises. The SME Competitiveness Guarantee Program aims to increase access to financing and stimulate lending, which faced significant obstacles during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, the Sustainability program supports companies transitioning towards greener, more sustainable investments, which is essential to the sustainable transformation of Romania’s economy. “This partnership with the European Investment Fund marks an important step in Garanti BBVA’s mission to support Romanian companies in their effort toward increased competitiveness and sustainability. The financing opportunities we bring to the market with the InvestEU guarantee reflect our commitment to facilitating Romania’s economic growth while contributing to its transition to a greener economy. By improving access to capital and promoting sustainable projects, Garanti BBVA confirms its role as a reliable partner for Romanian businesses in every stage of their development”, said Bilge Demirer, Deputy General Manager, Enterprise Banking Area, Garanti BBVA Romania. In the framework of these programs, Garanti BBVA is focused on delivering advantageous financing solutions to Romanian businesses. Eligible companies will benefit from more advantageous terms, including access to larger loan amounts, extended financing periods, and preferential interest rates. These conditions are designed to facilitate access to finance and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Romanian companies. Through the SME Competitiveness Guarantee Program, companies can expect a guarantee rate of 50% to 70%, depending on specific eligibility criteria, enabling Garanti BBVA to extend financing to companies with reduced collateral. The sustainability Guarantee Component, with a guarantee percentage of 70%, is exclusively dedicated to companies developing green and sustainable projects. The guarantee is backed by InvestEU, the European Union’s funding program and by Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The collaboration between Garanti BBVA and the EIF represents a strong effort to help Romanian businesses thrive in a challenging economic environment, opening pathways for long-term growth and resilience. Through the dual focus on competitiveness and sustainability, the bank aims to provide SMEs with the resources and incentives they need to stay competitive and embrace the green economy.
Romanian deep-tech startup .lumen, the developer of what it says are the world’s first AI-powered glasses for the blind, has secured a new investment from EIT Urban Mobility, the European innovation community focused on advancing sustainable and inclusive urban mobility solutions. The value of the new funding round was not disclosed. The investment aligns with […]
The health spending per capita in Romania was the lowest in the EU, with spending less than half the EU average in 2023, the recently released report, State of Health in the EU - Romania Country Health Profile 2025, shows. At the same time, life expectancy in Romania is 5.1 years below the EU average, […]
Romania’s annual inflation rate stood at roughly 9.8% in November 2025, similar to October, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Food prices increased by 7.6% last month, while services rose roughly 11% and non-food goods climbed 10.7%. The consumer price index rose by 0.42% in November compared with October, while […]
Three French soldiers deployed in Romania as part of NATO’s Multinational Battle Group at Cincu intervened to save a truck driver following a serious traffic accident on the A3 Bucharest–Ploiești motorway, the Romanian Ministry of Defense said. The incident occurred earlier this week as the soldiers were traveling toward Ploiești and witnessed the truck crash...
Eight contemporary art galleries will present the works of the artists they represent at the third edition of the Smallest Art Fair in Town, an event dedicated to works on paper. This edition showcases works “investigating the state of wandering, disorientation, and rediscovery in the face of uncertainty.” Under the title In Dark Woods, A […]
Parents everywhere are asking an important question: What skills will truly prepare a child for a world defined by rapid change, global uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence? For decades, schools focused entirely on academics. Today, research from neuroscience, performance psychology, and leading universities shows a different reality: The students who thrive long-term are […]
