Latest news with #MatteoPatrone
Jordan News
08-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Housing Bank Signs $75 Million Credit Facility Agreement with EBRD to Support MSMEs in Jordan - Jordan News
Housing Bank Signs $75 Million Credit Facility Agreement with EBRD to Support MSMEs in Jordan •The agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provides Housing Bank with a $75 million credit facility to support its lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) outside of Amman. اضافة اعلان •This partnership aligns with the Central Bank of Jordan's (CBJ) policies and initiatives aimed at promoting financial inclusion and improving access to finance. Housing Bank signed a $75 million credit financing agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aimed at strengthening lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in underprivileged areas outside the capital, Amman. This agreement is expected to drive growth and sustainability for these businesses, contributing to economic diversification and stimulating local economies. The agreement was signed by Housing Bank CEO, Ammar Al-Safadi, and EBRD Vice President for Banking, Matteo Patrone, , at Housing Bank's headquarters, with officials from both institutions in attendance. This partnership marks the third collaboration between Housing Bank and EBRD, reflecting Housing Bank's continued efforts to promote financial inclusion in line with global trends and the Central Bank of Jordan's (CBJ) vision for sustainable economic growth, access to financing remains a key challenge to realizing this vision. This agreement aims to address this obstacle by providing vital financial support to these businesses. Commenting on the agreement, Ammar Al-Safadi said, 'Through this financing, we aim to expand our ability to offer flexible and competitive solutions that support entrepreneurs across Jordan. This will help them grow their businesses, enhance innovation, and improve their competitiveness.' Furthermore, Al-Safadi emphasized that this agreement is vital for Housing Bank, as it demonstrates a successful partnership between local and international financial institutions to foster a supportive business environment and stimulate investment. Additionally, the agreement will allow Housing Bank to expand its lending portfolio to MSMEs, enhancing its client base, improving the quality of its financing portfolio, and increasing liquidity—all of which reinforce its position as a leading financial institution in supporting development. Mr Patrone, said: 'We are very pleased to have signed this facility, which further deepens our partnership with HBTF, a leading financial institution in Jordan. This third engagement reflects our shared commitment to supporting MSMEs and driving economic growth. Together, we are creating more opportunities for businesses to thrive and contributing to a stronger and more resilient economy.' Notably, in 2023, EBRD provided a $15 million loan to Housing Bank, co-financed with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), under the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) to support green investments in Jordan. In 2021, EBRD extended up to $50 million to boost export and import activities.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EBRD vice president to visit Jordan for high-level talks, investment agreements
AMMAN — European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone is scheduled to visit Jordan on Sunday for meetings with senior government officials and representatives of the business community. The discussions will focus on the EBRD's support for private sector financing, development of essential infrastructure, and the transition to a green economy, Al Mamlaka TV reported on Friday. During his visit to Amman, Patrone is planned to hold talks with Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Jordan's Governor at EBRD Zeina Toukan, and Central Bank Governor Adel Sharkas. He will also meet with European Union ambassador to Jordan, representatives from local companies and banks, and officials from international financial institutions. A number of new investment agreements are also expected to be signed during the visit. 'I'm delighted to visit Jordan for the first time in my capacity as EBRD Vice President,' said Patrone. 'I look forward to discussing future areas of cooperation with government officials and the business community. We are committed to supporting Jordan's economy through infrastructure development, promotion of green investments, and increasing the participation of women and youth in the workforce,' he added. Since beginning operations in Jordan in 2012, the EBRD has invested over 2.3 billion euros in 75 projects nationwide. These include support for the energy sector, vital infrastructure, the Jordanian banking system, and small and medium-sized enterprises, with 72 per cent of that financing directed towards the private sector. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
05-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
EBRD vice president to visit Jordan for high-level talks, investment agreements
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone is scheduled to visit Jordan on Sunday for meetings with senior government officials and representatives of the business community (Photo courtesy of EBRD) AMMAN — European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone is scheduled to visit Jordan on Sunday for meetings with senior government officials and representatives of the business community. The discussions will focus on the EBRD's support for private sector financing, development of essential infrastructure, and the transition to a green economy, Al Mamlaka TV reported on Friday. During his visit to Amman, Patrone is planned to hold talks with Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Jordan's Governor at EBRD Zeina Toukan, and Central Bank Governor Adel Sharkas. He will also meet with European Union ambassador to Jordan, representatives from local companies and banks, and officials from international financial institutions. A number of new investment agreements are also expected to be signed during the visit. 'I'm delighted to visit Jordan for the first time in my capacity as EBRD Vice President,' said Patrone. 'I look forward to discussing future areas of cooperation with government officials and the business community. We are committed to supporting Jordan's economy through infrastructure development, promotion of green investments, and increasing the participation of women and youth in the workforce,' he added. Since beginning operations in Jordan in 2012, the EBRD has invested over 2.3 billion euros in 75 projects nationwide. These include support for the energy sector, vital infrastructure, the Jordanian banking system, and small and medium-sized enterprises, with 72 per cent of that financing directed towards the private sector.
Reuters
02-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
EBRD to provide 1 billion euros to Ukraine's war-ravaged energy sector in 2025
KYIV, April 2 (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development plans to provide about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) this year to help Ukraine rebuild its war-damaged power sector and improve energy resilience, EBRD vice president Matteo Patrone said. During more than three years of war, Russia has hammered Ukraine's energy infrastructure with missile and drone strikes, damaging generation and transmission facilities and causing blackouts. The EBRD is one of Ukraine's key lenders, and supporting the energy sector will remain a priority this year, Patrone said in remarks released for publication on Wednesday. "... Energy security one is the most important, with 2 billion euros deployed so far," Patrone told reporters. "But with the activities that we are about to finalise, and also the pipeline we have, in particular, in the public sector, these 2 billion euros will increase substantially in 2025. It (will be) about 3 billion, probably, by the end of the year." As Russia stepped up its attacks in March 2024, Ukraine lost half its available generation capacity, officials have said. But it managed to get through the winter months thanks to mild weather, fast repairs and a flow of funding and equipment from Western allies. Ukraine is also trying to decentralise as it rebuilds and modernises, with more solar and wind energy and small, modular gas turbines. Patrone said renewables accounted for about 10% of Ukraine's energy mix and the EBRD was looking at projects to expand this share. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also said the EBRD was working with the state energy company Naftogaz on a financing package to help it purchase natural gas for the next winter. The EBRD has deployed a total of 6.4 billion euros in Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. ($1 = 0.9240 euros)
