The loan from EBRD will be used to finance the completion of construction of a manufacturing facility in the town of Slavuta, western Ukraine and the procurement of associated equipment.
The plant will be compliant with good manufacturing practices (GMP), regulations which require that manufacturers, processors and packagers of drugs, medical devices, some food take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure and effective.
The loan comes under the EBRD Direct Financing Framework designed to offer small and medium-sized enterprises in EBRD countries of operations a streamlined and easier access to funding with longer maturities. In addition, investment support under the EU4Business programme will support the project implementation.
Ecopharm, established in 1998 and active across CIS countries, specializes in the manufacturing of patented herbal antivirus medicines. The EBRD financing will also help Ecopharm to increase its exports to the CIS market, enhance its research and development capacity and ensure full compliance with GMP standards.
The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. To date, the Bank has made a cumulative commitment of almost €12 billion through 369 projects since the start of its operations in the country in 1993.
On 20 May, 2016 an EUR 40 million worth agreement was signed by the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development under the EU4Business Initiative to provide up to €28 million for business advice, information, training and other support to SMEs in Ukraine. The assistance includes the creation of a network of business support centres across Ukraine and also envisages that up to €12 million of EU4Business funds will be used to support the EBRD’s direct financing of smaller enterprises.
