The International Investment Bank traditionally participated in the 31^st conference of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe, in the position of the diamond sponsor. The event took place on October 19 in Budapest, Hungary.

At the conference, dedicated to the risks and opportunities in the CEE-CIS financial sector, the Bank was represented by Igor Barat, Director of the IIB European Regional Office opened earlier this year in April in Bratislava in order to further expand the Bank’s operations in Europe.

In his speech, Mr. Barat emphasized the opportunities that development institutions and the IIB in particular can provide as a channel of productive investments during economic uncertainty, bringing together partners and creating conditions for financing of sustainable economic activities. Only a week ago, the IIB concluded a bond placement in Romania, raising RON 111 million that it plans to re-invest into productive sectors of the local economy.

The head of the European office highlighted the special status of the IIB as a supranational financial institution and its unique member composition – the Bank unites countries from Europe, Asia and Latin America. This makes it an interesting partner for businesses and financial institutions, operating on these markets, especially in light of this year’s launch of trade finance products by the Bank. During the past three years of operations of the new IIB, the Bank approved investments significantly exceeding EUR 400 million.