"Having representatives in emerging markets is in
line with our vision to strengthen our focus on these vast markets,
which are of key importance for the Bank's membership area
investments", says Nils E.Emilsson, First Vice-President and Head of Landing.
"The Bank expects to see a growing demand for long-term financing,
particularly in infrastructure development, environmental projects, and
capital-intensive industries."
NIB is intensifying its lending operations in the
countries outside the Bank's membership area by selectively entering
new growth markets. The Bank will focus its activities and have a more
active presence on its key markets in China, India and Russia.
About one fifth (EUR 2,172 million) of NIB's loan
portfolio (total EUR 10,522 million) was directed to non-member
countries at the end of 2007. In non-member countries, NIB finances
projects of mutual interest to the country of the borrower and the
member countries. High priority is given to projects involving
environmental improvements. NIB has loans outstanding in approximately
30 emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Europe and
Eurasia, and Latin America. The Baltic Sea and Barents Sea Regions are
key priority areas in the operations of the Bank.
NIB's representatives in non-member countries,
Xuemin Shao, Chief Representative for China and East Asia, Anand Sethi,
Advisor in India and Igor Kovtun, General Representative in Russia, are
participating today in a panel discussion "How to finance projects in
fast-growing markets" in the Globe Forum, Stockholm 14.00-15.15. The
workshop will be chaired by Nils E. Emilsson, First Vice-President and
Head of Lending. NIB representatives will be available for questions
after the panel.
NIB is a multilateral financial
institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances
private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB
has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading
rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's.
For further information, please contact
Mr Nils E Emilsson, First Vice-President, Head of Lending, at +358 10 618 001, or
Mr Jukka Ahonen, Director of Communications, at +358 10 618 0295, [email protected]