Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina will have more opportunities to invest in digital transformation with new financing made available to Sparkasse Bank, provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU). The EBRD has provided an €8 million loan that Sparkasse Bank will on-lend to local SME clients. The proceeds will be used to help small firms invest in the automation and digitalisation of business processes to improve productivity, operational efficiency and resilience.

SMEs will be able to apply for funds to invest in hardware and software for various digital transformation projects in the areas of production, internal processes and services. The aim is to boost the digital transformation of SMEs as well as making them more competitive in EU markets and compliant with the standards required by EU Directives. In addition to loans, SMEs will benefit from EU-funded grant incentives worth up to 15 per cent of the total loan amount. The credit line is extended under the joint EBRD-EU Go Digital in Bosnia and Herzegovina programme, for which the EBRD has secured €40 million in loans, while the EU has secured grants of €9 million for incentive payments, advisory services and technical assistance.