The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced today that it is launching a two-year dedicated research program in support of the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) listed on the national stock exchanges in Bulgaria, Croatia, North. Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.
Sirma Group Holding JSC (SKK) is included in the SME equity research program whose primary goal is to attract the attention of the international investor community.
The Taiwan Business-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund secures finance. The main goal is to produce high-quality research reports to overcome information barriers that depress market liquidity. Making markets more transparent by increasing the amount of reliable information is regarded as key to expanding the availability of financing for SMEs in the SEE region. The research reports will be publicly available free of charge on the newly created Listed SME Research Hub.
The research program will be carried out by WOOD & Company, an investment bank specializing in emerging markets. The program is fully aligned with the objectives of the European Commission’s Action Plan on Building a Capital Markets Union, which points out how important it is to improve access to finance, including risk capital, in particular for SMEs as one of the five priority areas.
“We see enormous potential for the Bulgarian SMEs, and we are glad that four companies will be part of this critical program. It is a great opportunity to get more visibility, attract investors and develop European business horizons for the selected ambitious SMEs.”, stated Manyu Moravenov, Chief Executive Officer, Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE).
In addition, Ivana Gazic, president of the management board of Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE), added - “The lack of information about companies is often the main obstacle to making investment decisions and discovering the region’s potential.”
“The provision of regular financial reports in the English language backed with the investor reports generated by the Program will become the future benchmark for all listed companies in the region,” commented Stanislav Tanushev, Director of Investor Relations of Sirma Group Holding (SKK).
The participants in the program are the following companies: Bulgaria’s Sirma Group Holding, Gradus, Monbat, Sopharma; N. Macedonia’s Alkaloid, Komercijalna Banka and NLB Banka; Romania’s BittNet, Conpet, Patria Bank and Teraplast, Croatia’s AD PLASTIK, Arena Hospitality Group, Ilirija Resort, and the Zagreb Stock Exchange, Serbia’s Fintel Energija and Slovenia’s Pozavarovalnica Sava RE.
Four reports were published at the launch of the program today. At least five reports per company are expected during the project period.
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