(ANSA) - TRIESTE - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide an Eur 200 million loan to Serbia's Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA), an independent public institution designed to protect insured depositors and manage the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), according to a note published on the Bank's website. "The EBRD financing will further strengthen the stability of the banking sector in Serbia by securing efficient and credible protection of insured deposits, supporting legal reforms of the deposit insurance regulatory framework and helping Serbia to deal with remaining challenges in the banking sector", the Bank announced, while adding that "by strengthening trust and diversifying financial tools, the DIF recapitalisation also aims to attract new investments in the financial sector".

Since the start of its operations in Serbia, the EBRD has invested more than €3.8 billion in over 181 projects. The Bank invests in the financial sector, industry, commerce, agribusiness, energy and infrastructure. (ANSA)