The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF) have provided a €3 million loan to support the expansion of Bel Medic, Serbia’s leading private healthcare provider. This is the first investment by both institutions in Serbia’s private healthcare sector, aimed at boosting infrastructure, capacity, and management systems.
The funds will be used to finance new medical equipment for Bel Medic’s recently completed hospital wing in Belgrade. The investment will increase the hospital’s bed capacity and fully equip two new operating rooms, providing patients with greater access to advanced medical services.
Zsuzsanna Hargitai, EBRD Regional Director for the Western Balkans, commented:
“This investment will support Bel Medic to develop an offer of new value-added services. We are pleased that we can support the development and modernisation of Serbian hospitals for the benefit of the citizens.”
- Serbian public hospitals often struggle with long waiting times for specialised and advanced healthcare services.
- This investment aims to alleviate these challenges by offering enhanced access to services, including medical screenings and surgical procedures.
Bel Medic, established in 1995, is the first private general hospital in Serbia. It operates across multiple locations in Belgrade and employs approximately 390 permanent staff and 400 consultant specialists. Through ongoing advisory support from the EBRD since 2012, Bel Medic has improved its management information systems, accounting standards, and financial management, ensuring better service quality and organisational performance.
Jasmina Knežević, founder and CEO of Bel Medic, expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying:
“It is a great honour to see Bel Medic recognised by the EBRD as a trusted partner with the ability to keep up with modern medical development and international standards.”
The Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF) is a €48.5 million initiative that supports high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans. It provides both investment capital and technical assistance to help businesses expand and modernize their operations. ENEF is part of the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility, which is jointly supported by the EBRD, European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Union.
The EBRD has been a key investor in Serbia, with over €5 billion invested across 250 projects. The Bank focuses on supporting private-sector development, infrastructure improvements, and green economy initiatives to enhance connectivity and foster sustainable growth in the region.
