EBRD invests in RAJA Romania’s largest water and wastewater company
- December 12, 2020
- Posted by: Lyn Wilson
- Category: Corporate, Investment and Finance, Water Issues, Europe
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is aiding the water utility sector in Romania with a standby liquidity facility of up to €5 million to SC Raja Constanta SA (RAJA) to enable it cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business.
The facility comes under the Vital Infrastructure Program of the EBRD’s Solidarity Package which includes emergency liquidity for key infrastructure providers such as RAJA.
RAJA is the largest regional water and wastewater company in the country and serves more than three million domestic, industrial and public-sector clients in seven counties of Romania.
The organization is a longstanding client of the EBRD and to date has received five loans worth a total of €101 million. Previous financing helped the company achieve compliance with EU directives on water quality and wastewater collection and treatment.
RAJA is obligated to decrease water losses significantly, as part of its work with the Bank.
Under a performance-based contract that RAJA signed with Administração e Gestão de Sistemas de Salubridade, the Portuguese water company is undertaking necessary upgrades while providing a performance guarantee. The Bank has assisted RAJA in preparing the contract, the first of its kind in the Romanian water sector.
The EBRD is a major investor in Romania. So far, it has invested €8.8 billion in the country’s economy through 454 projects.