OTP banka Srbija — the first commercial bank in the EU–KfW Western Balkans Guarantee programme

First partnership agreement signed for better access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

The Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation (SEF) and OTP banka Srbija have signed the first partnership agreement under the EU–KfW Western Balkans Guarantee – Supporting Entrepreneurs’ and MSMEs’ Resilience programme. OTP banka has thereby become the first commercial bank in Serbia to join the programme, opening the way to better access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The programme is jointly supported by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank, as part of the broader engagement of the EU and Germany in support of private sector development and the economic resilience of the Western Balkans. In Serbia, the programme is implemented by the Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation, in cooperation with commercial banks and other partner institutions.

The aim of the programme is to provide entrepreneurs, start-ups and MSMEs in manufacturing activities — particularly those outside major centres such as Belgrade and Novi Sad — with more favourable lending conditions: longer repayment periods, less restrictive collateral requirements, and an offer tailored to the real economy. In this way, the programme contributes to competitiveness, the creation of new jobs, and balanced regional development.

Following the signing of this agreement, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to apply in the coming period, once the instrument is fully ready for the market. The exact date on which applications will begin to be accepted will be announced subsequently on the Foundation’s website and channels.

At the signing, Aleksandar Grabovac, Director of the Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation, stressed that this agreement opens not only new doors to finance, but also new opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs and family businesses that are the backbone of Serbia’s real economy. He also recalled that the Foundation, in cooperation with partner financial institutions, has to date directly supported EUR 47 million in loans for this group of clients.

The EU–KfW Western Balkans Guarantee programme contributes to strengthening Serbia’s financial sector, supporting private sector development, and further aligning domestic policies with European standards — on Serbia’s path towards membership in the European Union.