Tbilisi (GBC) – The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has allocated €8 million in funding to Crystal for lending to micro businesses. The microbank will co-finance 50% of the amount, bringing the total portfolio for financing micro-entrepreneurs to €16 million.

This is the microbank’s first collaboration with the CEB. In addition to the loan, the agreement includes a technical assistance component from the CEB, which, according to Crystal’s CEO Ilia Revia, is equally important for strengthening Crystal’s institutional capacity.

The creditor is also pleased with the deal. “Together with the microbank, we will create new opportunities for growth and employment,” said Cristian Tabacaru, CEB’s Director of Credit and Social Development.

“We are pleased that the microbank Crystal, side by side with us, will help empower micro-entrepreneurs in Georgia and create new opportunities for growth and employment”, - Crystal’s CEO Ilia Revia