The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a sovereign-guaranteed loan of up to EUR 42 million to Srbijavoz, Serbia’s state-owned national passenger railway operator, to finance the acquisition of new coaches for international rail services.
The loan agreement was signed by Ljubiša Pejičić, Acting Director General of Srbijavoz, while the guarantee agreement was signed by Siniša Mali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Jelena Čeperković, EBRD Deputy Head for Serbia.
The financing will enable the company to acquire 12 new railway sleeping cars, marking a significant step in the modernisation of Serbia’s rail sector and the enhancement of international passenger services. The new sleeping cars will replace the existing fleet, which is obsolete and no longer permitted to operate in European Union (EU) countries. They will initially be deployed on the route between Belgrade and Bar in Montenegro, with plans to introduce additional international connections to neighbouring EU countries.
This investment will allow Srbijavoz to offer improved international rail services that comply with EU standards, supporting operational growth and promoting greater regional connectivity. The project forms part of Serbia’s broader strategy to modernise its railway infrastructure, enhance cross-border mobility, and reduce its carbon footprint through the promotion of sustainable transport solutions.
The EBRD’s support also demonstrates its continued commitment to advancing Serbia’s transition towards a greener, more efficient transport network. By encouraging greater use of rail over road, the project will contribute to lower emissions and strengthen economic links between Serbia and its European partners, facilitating trade, tourism, and sustainable development across the Western Balkans.
Srbijavoz currently operates more than twenty passenger routes, including urban, national, and international services.
The EBRD is the leading institutional investor in Serbia, having invested more than EUR 10 billion through 394 projects to date. The bank’s focus in Serbia is on private-sector competitiveness, the green economy transition and sustainable infrastructure.
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