Raiffeisen Leasing d.o.o. Sarajevo

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MIGA has issued guarantees of €33.25 to Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB) in Austria covering their €35 million shareholder loans to their subsidiary Raiffeisen Leasing d.o.o. Sarajevo (RLBH) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The loans will fund the RLBH's leasing portfolio. MIGA's coverage is for a period of up to six years against the risks of transfer restriction and expropriation of funds. RLBH leases vehicles, including cars, trucks and trailers, various types of equipment, including processing, packaging and construction equipment, as well as leasing of industrial and office buildings. Loan proceeds are expected to be used to finance vehicle leases to micro and small-size enterprises and car leases to individuals. This project is expected to contribute to the development of the financial sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina by improving access to finance, particularly to segments of the economy that are currently underserved. The shareholder loans support RLBH's ongoing leasing business, thereby contributing toward the continued development and strengthening of the country's leasing sector. The leasing sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still relatively small compared to West European countries. Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are especially expected to benefit from the development of leasing in the country, as they often do not qualify for bank financing and lack the capital to purchase fixed assets to grow their businesses. SMEs and corporates account for more than 90 percent of RLBH's leasing volume.  MIGA's support for this investment is aligned with the World Bank Group's country assistance strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2008-2011 and the country's development objectives, particularly with regard to improving the environment for private sector-led growth and convergence with Europe.

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