- The European Investment Bank signed two €100 million financing agreements with Turkish lenders to back clean energy and energy efficiency projects.
- Funds will support SMEs and mid-caps investing in emissions cuts, energy security, climate resilience and green jobs.
- The renewed EIB engagement comes alongside EU-backed earthquake reconstruction and wider talks on sustainable transport and infrastructure.
EIB Reopens Türkiye Lending with Climate Finance Focus
The European Investment Bank has resumed financing in Türkiye with €200 million ($230 Million) in new lending aimed at helping Turkish companies cut emissions and improve energy performance.
The EIB signed two €100 million financing operations with the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye and Türk Eximbank. Both institutions will on-lend the funds to small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-caps across the country.
The financing will target renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. It will also support supply-chain resilience, energy security, climate adaptation and green job creation. For Turkish businesses, the package lands at a time of tighter export scrutiny, rising energy costs and growing pressure to meet EU-linked climate standards.
“We welcome the EIB’s return to Türkiye,” said Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek. “This financing will help our businesses invest in clean energy, improve efficiency and strengthen their competitiveness. It is a practical example of how Türkiye and the EU can work together to support sustainable growth and shared prosperity.”
Turkish Banks to Channel Funds to SMEs and Exporters
The EIB’s choice of local banking partners is central to the deal. TKYB and Türk Eximbank both have established networks across Turkish industry. That reach gives the EIB a route into companies that often face higher financing barriers when upgrading operations.
“These signatures mark a new phase of cooperation between the EIB and Türkiye,” EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot said during his first official visit to the country. “By working with these two Turkish banks that have expertise and extensive networks across SMEs and mid-caps, we are able to reach companies throughout the country and support their transition to a more sustainable and resilient future. Together, we are investing in the green transformation and development of the Turkish economy.”
For TKYB, the financing adds to its role as a conduit for international capital linked to Türkiye’s long-term development strategy.
“This agreement marks another significant step in supporting Türkiye’s transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and competitive economy”, said TKYB Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Halil Öztop. “As the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye, we remain committed to mobilizing international resources for investments that advance renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and contribute to the country’s long-term development goals. We believe this new step in our partnership with the European Investment Bank will not only further strengthen our cooperation with EIB but also generate tangible environmental and economic benefits.”
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Export Competitiveness Moves to the Centre
For Türk Eximbank, the deal has a direct trade dimension. Turkish exporters face growing demands from international buyers and regulators, especially in the European Union. Cleaner production, lower energy intensity and credible environmental performance now shape market access.
“Our cooperation with the European Investment Bank is a clear sign of international confidence in Türkiye’s green transformation journey,” said Türk Eximbank CEO Ali Güney. “Meanwhile, this agreement provides strong financial support for our exporters in complying with environmental regulations in their key export markets, particularly within the EU. Türk Eximbank’s total volume of international funding dedicated to green transformation has reached USD 1.9 billion with this transaction. Through long-term partnerships with international financial institutions like the EIB, we remain fully committed to supporting Türkiye’s sustainable growth objectives.”
The transaction also strengthens the financial architecture behind Türkiye’s decarbonisation agenda. For investors and corporate leaders, the message is practical. Access to long-term climate finance is becoming a competitiveness tool, not only a sustainability measure.
Reconstruction and Resilience Remain Linked
During the visit, the EIB delegation also met Turkish government officials to discuss further cooperation. Talks covered sustainable transport, infrastructure and private-sector support for cleaner and more efficient business models.
The delegation then travelled to Hatay, one of the provinces hit hardest by the 2023 earthquakes. The EIB is already supporting reconstruction there through a €400 million operation for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. That funding forms part of broader EU support.
The projects aim to restore essential services and improve living conditions. They also seek to rebuild infrastructure to higher standards, reduce water losses and help the region prepare for future shocks.
“Today’s signatures mark an important and very welcome step in the renewed engagement of the European Investment Bank in Türkiye. They show in practical terms how the European Union and Türkiye can work together to support the green transformation of the economy, strengthen the competitiveness of Turkish companies, and help businesses invest in cleaner energy, greater efficiency and more resilient supply chains. This renewed cooperation also comes at a time when EU support to Türkiye spans both reconstruction in earthquake-affected regions and forward-looking investments in sustainable infrastructure, including clean transport and rail connectivity. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the EIB, Turkish authorities and financial institutions to translate our shared priorities into concrete investments for people, businesses and regions across Türkiye,” said EU Ambassador Designate to Türkiye Aivo Orav.
For Türkiye, the financing links climate action, industrial policy and reconstruction. For the EU, it reopens a channel for strategic investment in a neighbouring economy tied closely to European supply chains. The next test will be how quickly Turkish firms can turn the capital into lower emissions, stronger exports and more resilient infrastructure.
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