Skopje, FYR Macedonia, 26 May 2010 - EFSE reconfirmed the support it would give to small business in Southeast Europe, including in FYR Macedonia, at a press conference held in Skopje, FYR Macedonia on May 26, 2010. The press conference came in preparation for the Fund’s Annual Meeting to be held from June 8-10, 2010 in Ohrid, FYR Macedonia.

Dr. Klaus Glaubitt, Chairman of the EFSE Board of Directors and Sylvia Wisniwski, Chief Operating Officer of EFSE, provided for an overview of EFSE’s objectives and performance and highlighted future initiatives and investments in Macedonia’s financial sector to enhance financing availability for small businesses in the country. Dimitar Bogov, Vice-Governor of the Macedonian National Bank, was EFSE’s guest speaker at the press conference.

EFSE announced that, over the next five years, it is prepared to provide an additional EUR 900 million of financing to financial institutions in the region of Southeast Europe, including EUR 60 million in FYR Macedonia, for on-lending to small business and low-income private households.