Figures The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced a €5bn initiative to support the economiesand private sectors that are directly affected by the conflict in the Middle East. It said the initiative targets Lebanon, as well as Iraq, Jordan, and the West Bank and Gaza, in addition to affected neighboring countries such as Egypt, Türkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It added that it aims to deploy €5bn in investments in these economies in 2026 and that the volume of the funding will be demand driven due to the fast-changing nature of the events.  Further, it indicated that the approach consists of providing immediate relief by supporting economic activity, fostering financial sector stabilization and ensuring the continuity of essential services; as well as laying the foundations for the growth and recovery of the affected economies. It noted that the response aims to strengthen energy security through targeted liquidity support for energy utilities in the short term, and that assistance to state-owned enterprises will ensure the provision of essential goods and services. Also, it said that the initiative aims to address disruptions to energy markets and agri-food value chains by providing working capital and liquidity to help firms absorb market volatility and continue their operations. It added that, in the long term, it will support infrastructure, trade routes and food security, along with investments in digital solutions that underpin economic connectivity and growth. It noted that it will complement its investment response with policy dialogue, targeted technical assistance and advisory support for governments, clients and small and medium-sized enterprises.  The EBRD has €864m in cumulative pledges in Lebanon that include €729m in disbursements for nine projects as at end-February 2026. The EBRD annual investments in Lebanon reached €20m in 2025, €8m in 2024, €8m in 2023, €5m in 2022, €6m in 2021, €28m in 2020, and €164m in 2019.  Established in 1991, the EBRD aims to support economies and promote the private sector in 40 economies in the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. The bank’s member countries in the SEMED region are Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and the West Bank and Gaza. It added that it has invested more than €26.5bn in 489 projects in countries of the SEMED region since 2012. The bank currently has 76 shareholders that include 75 countries as well as the European Union and the European Investment Bank, and has invested in excess of €220bn in more than 7,800 projects. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Byblos Bank, LTW, 30 March -11 April 2026