The Bank’s aim in this project is to finance Veolia Voda SA’s growth plans, including through acquisitions, in at least 18 countries ranging from central Europe to central Asia despite the economic downturn and difficult market conditions.

In 2007, the EBRD acquired a 10 percent equity stake in Veolia Voda for 105 million euros. The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veolia Water-Compagnie des Eaux, was originally set up as a vehicle for the group’s water and wastewater operations in Russia, Ukraine and four countries of central and eastern Europe.

"We are very happy that our partnership has reached this new level. For us, it is a declaration of trust, which we deeply appreciate," said Philippe Guitard, Director of Veolia Water Europe.

Veolia Water is a division of the world’s leading operator of municipal and environmental services, Veolia Environment (Paris Euronext symbol VIE and NYSE symbol VE).

This transaction gives the EBRD an opportunity to invest alongside this private sector group as it seeks to push its business east at a time when the crisis is opening new possibilities for private sector investment in this important sector, said Jean-Patrick Marquet, the EBRD’s Director for Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure.