PODGORICA (Montenegro), October 2 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Monday the new head of its resident office in Montenegro, Jaap Sprey, has taken up his new position in Podgorica.
In his new position, Sprey will lead the EBRD’s operations in Montenegro, focusing on making the economy more competitive, integrated and green, the bank said in a statement.
"I am honoured to take on this new task at a time when Montenegro is advancing towards EU membership and is becoming ever more important for regional integration of the Balkans and south-eastern Europe," Sprey said in the statement.
The EBRD has long been a champion of Western Balkans integration, financing the development of transport and energy infrastructure links both within the region and among neighbours, Sprey noted. "I am committed to building on the successful track record of the Bank in Montenegro and the region. Together with the team we will work hard to help boost the Montenegrin economy through investment, advice and support for reforms."
Sprey previously held the position of EBRD Associate Director for Finance and Development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Turkey.
To date, the EBRD has invested a total of 530 million euro ($623 million) in various sectors of the Montenegrin economy, the bank said.