The Bulgarian Development Bank becomes a member of the OECD Platform on Financing SMEs for Sustainability

The Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) has joined the specialised platform of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) aimed at promoting sustainable financing for small and medium-sized enterprises - the OECD Platform on Financing SMEs for Sustainability.

BDB’s accession is in line with the priorities of the Republic of Bulgaria in connection with its candidacy for OECD membership and reflects the country’s commitment to active participation in international initiatives for sustainable economic growth.

The new partnership will provide the Bank with access to an extensive database of information, analyses and best practices that will support its activities, including processes for measuring and reporting the impact of the lending programmes implemented by BDB.

The Platform aims to facilitate SMEs’ access to sustainable financing and to support the green transition by bringing together public and private financial institutions, business associations, ESG experts and other stakeholders.

Its resources will make it possible to identify the needs of Bulgarian businesses and to develop financial instruments aligned with sustainability requirements.

The new membership in the OECD platform significantly expands the Bank’s international outreach and provides access to a broad network of partners, including representatives of international business and the public sector.

By joining the OECD Platform on Financing SMEs for Sustainability, the Bulgarian Development Bank reaffirms its role as an active partner of the international community and continues to work consistently towards the sustainable development and competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was established in 1961 with the aim of promoting policies for sustainable economic development, improving living standards and maintaining financial stability. It is the successor to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, which was created to administer American and Canadian financial assistance (the so-called Marshall Plan) for the reconstruction of Europe after the Second World War.

Today, the OECD is a well-established international organisation with a leading role in developing and implementing the highest standards in all key areas such as governance, tax policy, transport infrastructure, agriculture, education, the digital economy and innovation, climate and others.

The OECD currently has 38 member countries, including the most advanced economies from Europe, North and South America, and Asia. Alongside Bulgaria, other candidates for OECD membership are Romania, Croatia, Brazil, Argentina and Peru.