Founded in 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 27 countries from central Europe to central Asia.

The EBRD is owned by 60 countries and two intergovernmental institutions. Despite its public sector shareholders, it invests mainly in private enterprises, usually together with commercial partners.

EBRD provides project financing for banks, industries and businesses, both new ventures and investments in existing companies. It also works with publicly owned companies to support privatization, restructuring state-owned firms and improvement of municipal services.

The EBRD’s mandate stipulates that it must only work in countries that are committed to democratic principles. The EBRD is directed by its founding agreement to promote, in the full range of its activities, environmentally sound and sustainable development.

Organisation

The powers of the EBRD are vested in the Board of Governors to which each member appoints a governor, generally the minister of finance. The Board of Governors delegates most powers to the Board of Directors, which is responsible for the EBRD's strategic direction. The President is elected by the Board of Governors and is the legal representative of the EBRD. Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, the President manages the work of the Bank.

Countries of operation

Members/shareholders

The European Community (EC), most important of three European Communities, was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... The European Investment Bank (the Banque Européenne dInvestissement) is the European Unions financing institution and was established under the Treaty of Rome (1957) to provide loan finance for capital investment furthering European Union policy objectives, in particular regional development, Trans-European Networks of transport, telecommunications and energy...

EBRD Presidents

Apr 91 – Jun 93: Jacques Attali
Sep 93 – Jan 98: Jacques de Larosiere
Sep 98 – Apr 00: Horst Kohler
Jul 00 – present: Jean Lemierre

Headquarters address

One Exchange Square
London EC2A 2JN
United Kingdom

External links

• EBRD web site