Finance Minister Peter Kažimír and Council of Europe Development Bank Governor Rolf Wenzel have signed an agreement on setting up a Slovak Inclusive Growth Account. Slovakia will contribute €2 million towards it. This is the first bilateral fund launched by the country and the bank, as well as the first bilateral fund within the group of EU-member states that joined the Union in 2004. Kažimír stressed the bank's key role in strengthening social cohesion in Europe and confirmed Slovakia's commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth.
The account is aimed at financing technical assistance and activities related to project preparation in the field of economic and social transformations, such as feasibility studies, assessments of environmental and social impact, business plans and consultancy services.
According to Kažimír, the fund offers scope for Slovakia to become more visible as a donor country in international circles as well as for Slovak firms and consultants to participate in international tenders.
Slovakia has been a member of the Council of Europe Development Bank since 1998. Since 2012, the bank has approved investments in Slovakia totalling more than €900 million, mainly in modernising urban and rural areas, job creation, environmental protection, social housing and education.
