– Den europeiske bank for gjenoppbygging og utvikling (EBRD) spiller fortsatt en svært viktig rolle, sier statssekretær Halvard Ingebrigtsen. 

Statssekretæren deltar på EBRDs årsmøte i Istanbul i dag og i morgen, 10.-11. mai. Temaet for møtet er ”Innovation for growth”.

– EBRD leverer sterke resultater. Banken er en solid støttespiller for hele regionen, sier statssekretær Ingebrigtsen.

EBRD ble opprettet i 1991. Formålet med opprettelsen var å bidra til den økonomiske og demokratiske utviklingen i de tidligere kommuniststyrte landene i Europa. I de senere årene er området utvidet til å dekke land i middelhavsregionen, blant annet Tyrkia, land i Nord-Afrika, samt Jordan.

Landene i EBRDs dekningsområde har vært hardt rammet av den økonomiske nedturen i kjølvannet av eurokrisen. I sitt innlegg til årsmøtet understreker Ingebrigtsen at EBRD fortsatt spiller en svært viktig rolle i å bidra til utvikling og fremgang i disse landene.

– Det er tegn til bedring, men mange av landene sliter med høy arbeidsledighet. Prosjekter som stimulerer til nye arbeidsplasser bør derfor ha høy prioritet, sier Ingebrigtsen.

Les hele innlegger her:

EBRD Annual Meeting 2013

Statement by State Secretary and EBRD Alternate Governor for Norway Mr Halvard Ingebrigtsen

The Central and Eastern European countries experienced a sharp slowdown in economic growth in 2012, reflecting spill-over from the euro area crisis and tightening domestic policy. Unemployment remains to be high in many countries. However, there are signs that a modest recovery lies ahead. Under these circumstances the role of the Bank in building stable financial sectors, developing capital markets and diversifying economies in the countries of operation remains essential. The Bank should be mindful of the high unemployment rate in many of the countries of operation, and the importance of projects creating new jobs.

I will complement the Bank with strong results in 2012. It has provided effective financial support across the entire region. Net profit rose to 1.0 billion euro compared to 173 million euro in 2011. It is positive that the Bank has been able to maintain its triple A rating from all rating agencies in spite of a difficult period for its member countries. Triple A is a prerequisite for the Bank’s operations and indicates that the EBRD is a fundamentally sound institution. Under the current challenging economic circumstances in the countries of operations it is an impressive achievement that the Bank, for the third consecutive year, has managed to sustain its annual business volume close to 9 billion euro, combined with a high mandate fulfilment.

High profitability is necessary if the Bank shall be in a position to strengthen its support to the countries of operation. High profitability is also necessary if the bank shall manage to uphold additional funds to allow investments in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries (SEMED) l. Norway supports the Bank's expansion to the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region. Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan’s status as potential countries of operations of the SEMED region is welcomed. Norway appreciates that the Special Fund for these SEMED-countries has allowed the bank to identify projects and prepare the ground for future activities when countries of operation-status is granted. Norway trusts that the bank’s ordinary operations in the SEMED countries will be implemented within the Bank´s current capital resources.

Norway supports the Bank’s graduation policy and process. Graduation will enable the EBRD to create the necessary headroom to activities in new recipient countries.

Norway has taken the initiative to establish or participate in several of the funds managed by the EBRD. Since establishing the Cooperation Fund for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region (SEMED) Norway has contributed 5.2 million euro. The Bank is already an important channel for Norway’s financial support to promote democratic and economic development in the SEMED-region, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan in particular. Norway is of the opinion that special attention should be given to promote equality for women and support to the youth. EBRD should work to broaden the participation in the fund.

Norway has supported the European Western Balkans Joint Fund (EWBJF) and EBRD’s Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) with 3.1 million euro in its work to mitigate and adapt to climate change and improve energy efficiency. In 2012 the EBRD delivered strong results under SEI, with 2.3 billion euro of annual business volume directly related to SEI activities. The SEI Phase 3 operating until end 2014, will underpin the Bank’s key objective of promoting economic competitiveness and growth based on a low-carbon foundation.

Likewise, Norway is a donor and supporter of the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency Partnership Fund (E5P) and we support its further enlargement to include Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in its operations. Norway proposed the establishment of the EBRD Water Fund which so far has focused on activities in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. We encourage a broadening of donor participation in this fund in order for the fund to engage in larger water related projects, with main emphasis on safe drinking water. Synergies between the Water Fund and other financing arrangements, including the Early Transition Countries Fund and E5P should be actively pursued.

All in all, Norway contributed 14.1 million euro to EBRD funds in 2012. Strong political support and cost sharing with the recipient countries are important. The basic purpose of Norway’s participation in the EBRD funds is to contribute additional resources in support of priority activities as well as enhance the efficiency of general EBRD lending to its countries of operations. At our disposal is also the New Norway Cooperation Fund with the EBRD, through which targeted projects in the Balkans have been financed.

Norway appreciates the approval of the Strategic Gender Initiative (SGI), following the Gender Action Plan (GAP) from 2009. GAP led to progress in introducing gender considerations into the bank’s operations. The Strategic Gender Initiative outlines the future framework for the EBRD’s approach to gender equality within its projects. Gender gaps will be identified in EBRD’s countries of operation and in the SEMED region, and identified issues will be addressed. Gender equality is a fundamental aspect of well developed and well-functioning markets, and Norway strongly supports the work being done by the Bank to address gender issues.

Norway welcomes the revision of the Environmental and Social Policy, the Public Information Policy and the Project Complaint Mechanism. The EBRD outline for the consultation processes during the revision period seems prudent. Consultation with other IFIs, NGOs, associations and external stakeholders will be important, as well as considering lessons learned from project evaluation studies.

In conclusion, Norway is satisfied with the EBRD’s work, the major lines in its priorities, the financial results and the transition impact through its projects.