International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment division of the World Bank, invested over 100 million Euros in Romania, its total investments reaching over 600 million Euros, and estimates loans of over 150 million Euros, next year. Head of the IFC for Europe and Central Asia, Shahbaz Mavaddat, yesterday said in a press conference: "We estimate we will grant over 150 million in financing nest year and we are first and foremost interested in areas such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture and the financial sector. In Romania, we have invested far more than in other countries out of necessity, as well as due to the country"s capacity".
Shahbaz Mavaddat said that the IFC had talks with the Romanian banks in the beginning of the crisis and added that the IFC would be willing to invest in Romanian banks if the need arose.