The following was released by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development․

 Dear Media Representatives,

As the world is in the grip of the COVID-19 crisis, the EBRD as a leading international financial institution is stepping up its efforts to support the economies where it invests and engages.

The Bank’s Board of Directors approved an emergency package on Friday evening and the volume of EUR 1 billion was clearly designated as a first step with the Bank standing ready to do more if and when needed. You have seen the press release we issued on Friday evening and it is again pasted into this email for your convenience.

The “Solidarity Package” demonstrates that the EBRD remains open for business and is prepared to act swiftly and decisively. The Bank is able to do so on the basis of its strong capital basis and the outstanding results achieved in recent years. In this critical moment, the EBRD is well equipped to stand by its clients and countries of operations.

We are also often asked these days about our the short- and long-term economic impact of the current events. As this is a rapidly developing situation it is obviously very difficult to come to final conclusions. What is already clear is that there will be an immediate impact on the economic performance in the EBRD regions, but - in contrast to the 2008 financial crisis - a quick rebound is possible once the outbreak is contained, according to our assessment.

If you would like to speak to an EBRD expert in the coming days, please contact us at your earliest convenience (at the moment the best way to reach us is via email). Our press team is at your disposal and happy to engage and also to put you in touch with our experts in London or in the field.

Here are your regional contacts:

Central Eastern Europe, Baltics, Western Balkans

Axel Reiserer, London, Head of Media Relations

Tel: +44 207 338 6741; Email: [email protected]

Montenegro

Cecilia Calatrava, London

Tel: +44 207 338 8378; Email: [email protected]

Greece

Olga Aristeidou, London

Tel: +44 207 338 8655; Email: [email protected]

Turkey, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan

Olga Rosca, Istanbul

Tel: +90 212 386 1125; Email: [email protected]

Southern and Eastern Mediterranean

Nibal Zgheib, London

Tel: +44 207 338 7753; Email: [email protected]

Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Central Asia, Mongolia

Anton Usov, Kyiv

Tel: +38 050 352 1106; Email: [email protected]

Georgia, Armenia

Loretta Martikian, Tbilisi

Tel: +995 32 244 7400; Email: [email protected]

Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Economy Transition

Vanora Bennett, London

Tel: +44 207 338 6163; Email: [email protected]

Maria Rozanova, London

Tel: +44 207 338 8710; Email: [email protected]

Institutional affairs and Economics

Anthony Williams, London

Tel: +44 207 338 6997; Email: [email protected]

We look forward the hearing from you and wish you all the best in the coming days and weeks.

Axel Reiserer

EBRD Head of Press

T 07741240316

E [email protected]