EFSE and Banca Intesa financing development in rural Serbia

The funding will primarily be used to finance new agricultural equipment acquisitions and mechanisation.

“Agriculture is a significant competitive advantage of Serbia and an important driver of its long-term economic growth, which is why Banca Intesa has a lasting commitment to providing active support for the farming sector. The continuation of our successful cooperation with the EFSE will place us in an even stronger position to help our customers and reinforce agricultural production, whilst additionally contributing to the overall recovery of the entire domestic economy”, says Alessio Cioni, Deputy President of Banca Intesa Executive Board.

Since becoming an EFSE partner lending institution in 2010, Banca Intesa has on-lent more than EUR 120 million in EFSE funding to small businesses and agricultural producers in Serbia. Serbia’s leading bank, has focussed strategically on agriculture since 2008 and is now one of the sector's largest creditors. To date 28,000 loans totalling approximately EUR 150 million have been disbursed to agricultural producers.