Issues with Serbian electricity company EPS need to be addressed within new EBRD loan

As part of its new EUR 200 million loan to the Serbian electricity company EPS, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development aims to assist with “identifying opportunities to improve environmental, safety, social, and labour governance and capacity, and on helping EPS to develop a more strategic approach to managing these issues”. As outlined in this briefing, so far the EBRD's fifteen-year partnership with EPS has not brought visible improvements in company practices and it is high time for the bank to prove that its engagement can add value. If this opportunity is well-utilised, it can help tackle the challenges facing Serbia's key electricity provider and the development of the electricity sector.