BSTDB President Highlights Opportunities for Regional Business Cooperation at BSEC Business Council Meeting
Focus on closer private-sector cooperation and access to finance
BSTDB President Dr. Serhat Köksal addressed the Board meeting of the BSEC Business Council in Thessaloniki, highlighting opportunities for stronger regional business cooperation and closer engagement between institutions, Chambers of Commerce and the private sector.
The meeting was held at the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office of BSEC.
In his address, Dr. Köksal stressed the importance of stronger connectivity and economic cooperation across the Black Sea region at a time of uncertainty in global trade. He highlighted the role of Chambers of Commerce in helping businesses identify opportunities, establish partnerships, access new markets and overcome practical barriers to trade and investment.
He also emphasised BSTDB’s role in supporting private-sector development and access to finance. Over the past two years, the Bank has approved EUR 448.5 million in SME credit lines and fund investments across the region, helping channel financing to businesses through local financial institutions and investment funds.
Dr. Köksal underlined the potential for closer cooperation between BSTDB, the BSEC Business Council and other BSEC-related bodies to identify common priorities and viable investment opportunities, better understand the needs of businesses and translate regional dialogue into concrete economic activity.
The programme also included a visit to the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, where BSEC-related institutions are represented through a joint pavilion under the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office.
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion.
