Balkan Enterprise Facility (BEF)

pending

Summary Of Project Information (SPI)Project Name:Balkans - Balkans Enterprise Facility (BEF)Region:Central and Southern EuropeSector:Project No:010060Projected Board Date:January 13, 2000Company Name:Balkans Enterprise Facility (BEF)Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders The Balkans Enterprise Facility (BEF) would be managed by the IFC. In addition to seconding several key staff, the BEF would draw on the resources of personnel within the World Bank Group.Project Cost Including proposed IFC participation The total project cost for the BEF for a period of five years is estimated at US$36 million. The proposed IFC budget contribution is US$1 million per year for five years, subject to a maximum of 17.5% of total budget funding for the BEF. Contribution for the fourth and fifth years would also be subject to the outcome of a proposed mid-term evaluation and the continuing support of the donor community. Several governmental donor agencies have expressed interest in contributing towards the remainder of the total project cost.Location of project and Description of site The project involves setting up BEF offices, staffed by IFC personnel, in Tirana, Albania; Banja Luka and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Skopje, FYR Macedonia; and Pristina, Kosovo.Description and Purpose of Project The BEF facility offices will form an integrated small and medium-size enterprise (SME) support facility in the Balkans region. It will aim to assist in the development of the private sector in the region, by (i) improving the capacity of SMEs to access finance, (ii) supporting improvements in the business enabling environment, (iii) supporting training and education projects and (iv) launching specific initiatives in knowledge transfer and dissemination.Environmental Category and Issues This is a category C project according to IFC''s environmental and social review procedure. No further environmental analysis is required.Date SPI sent to InfoShop:December 13, 1999“This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of consideration of the proposed transaction by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. It is provided for the purpose of enhancing the transparency of IFC’s activities and should not be construed as presuming the outcome of IFC Board consideration.”For Additional Information contact: Corporate Relations Unit -Telephone: (202) 473-7711Facsimile: (202) 974-4384