The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the National Guarantee Fund EAD (NGF) have signed an agreement that will release EUR 20 million in financing for Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under the European Commission's COSME programme. This transaction benefits from the support of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe. 330 Bulgarian SMEs are expected to benefit from this agreement over the next three years. 

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: “I am delighted that Bulgarian SMEs will benefit from the Investment Plan for Europe to the value of EUR 20 million worth of guarantees over the next three years. This transaction will allow these enterprises to press ahead with their plans to innovate, expand and create jobs. I am looking forward to hearing the stories of the entrepreneurs and citizens getting jobs in Bulgaria through EFSI's support.” A full information is available here.