Sayenko Kharenko advises the EFSE on EUR 20 million financing to Ukreximbank to support Ukrainian MSMEs

Sayenko Kharenko has acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) on providing, through its Ukraine Sub-Fund (USF), a 5-year loan of EUR 20 million equivalent in Ukrainian hryvnia to JSC “State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine” (Ukreximbank), Ukraine’s state-owned bank.

The loan is aimed at expanding access to finance for Ukrainian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating under wartime conditions, enabling Ukreximbank to scale up its lending in support of business continuity, investment and job preservation.

EFSE is an impact investment fund to drive economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. Through its two sub-funds – the Regional Sub-Fund (RSF) and the Ukraine Sub-Fund (USF) – EFSE provides tailored financial solutions to foster entrepreneurship, strengthen financial inclusion, and support local economies. With the investment, EFSE USF reaffirms its commitment to expanding access to finance to MSMEs across the country in wartime conditions.

Ukreximbank is Ukraine’s state bank and a leading financier of businesses and critical sectors, channelling capital into projects that deliver a strategic impact on the country’s recovery and long-term growth. The Bank is steadily expanding cooperation with international financial institutions and leading export credit agencies, providing guarantees and project finance that reduce risk and help Ukrainian companies access global partners and markets.

Sayenko Kharenko’s team included Igor Lozenko, Oles Trachuk and Danylo Dashko.