The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is a financing facility launched in December 2009 by the European Commission, together with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), Bilateral Donors and Western Balkans beneficiaries with the purpose to deliver funding for strategic investment projects. The KfW and the World Bank Group subsequently joined the Framework. In December 2018, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) became a participating organisation in the WBIF. The WBIF blends grants, loans and beneficiary contributions for infrastructure development in the energy, environment, social, transport and digital sectors as well as for private sector development.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework in Albania
The WBIF has supported 33 projects with an estimated value of €2.3billion in Albania. The country has benefited from 46 grants for technical assistance and investment works with an overall value of €143.8million, out of which €128.8 million from the EU and €15.0 million from other donors. The WBIF financial institutions have extended a further €470 million in loans signed on 15 projects. The investments comprise key infrastructure projects in a variety of sectors, such as:
- Rail, road and maritime transport;
- Electricity and gas transmission;
- Hydropower generation;
- Water and wastewater systems;
- Flood protection;
- Solid waste management;
- Schools and healthcare facilities;
- Broadband infrastructure.
Source of information : https://www.wbif.eu/
