EIB Global and Ardshinbank have launched a €100 million partnership to expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-cap companies across Armenia. The initiative aims to support around 300 Armenian firms and sustain more than 10,000 jobs by providing the necessary resources for businesses to modernize operations, expand production, adopt new technologies, and enhance competitiveness in local and international markets. A portion of the funding may be provided in local currency to reduce exchange rate risk, and 10% of the facility is dedicated to green lending for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other environmentally sustainable investments.
This partnership marks the first direct collaboration between EIB Global, the bank of the European Union, and Ardshinbank. The European Union is providing grant support to ensure the financing remains affordable for Armenian firms. The agreement was signed on 12 December 2025 in Yerevan, with participation from Ardshinbank’s Chairman Artak Ananyan, EIB representative Marion Hoenicke, and EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos. The initiative underlines the shared goal of fostering productive investment, strengthening long-term competitiveness, and promoting job creation throughout the country.
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska highlighted that the fund will help Armenian MSMEs access the resources needed to invest, adapt, and build resilience, while part of the financing will advance green transformation to support sustainable growth. EU Ambassador Maragos emphasized that boosting access to finance for SMEs is central to Armenia’s economic development and the EU-Armenia Strategic Agenda. Ardshinbank’s Chairman Artak Ananyan noted that the partnership will empower Armenian businesses with long-term financing, enabling them to scale, modernize, and compete globally, contributing to a stronger and more prosperous Armenian economy.
The European Investment Bank is the EU’s long-term lending institution, financing projects aligned with EU policy objectives including climate action, digitalization, social infrastructure, and economic cohesion. EIB Group projects follow the Paris Climate Agreement, with nearly 60% of annual financing supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation. Ardshinbank is Armenia’s leading private bank, offering retail, commercial, and investment banking services to over 570,000 customers through 72 branches and a robust omnichannel platform. The bank holds international ratings from S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch at the sovereign level.
