BIG CEE Secures EUR 72 Million from EBRD for Balkan Expansion
Deal News | Apr 14, 2025 | CEE Legal Matters
BIG CEE has secured EUR 72 million in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as part of a larger EUR 100 million package aimed at expanding BIG CEE's retail portfolio across the Balkans region. The transaction was advised by Karanovic & Partners for BIG CEE and Harrisons for the EBRD. The investment is expected to strategically enhance BIG CEE's presence and competitiveness in the regional retail market. Notably, the Karanovic & Partners advisory team was headed by Partner Katarina Guduric, while the Harrisons team featured Head of Banking and Finance Ines Matijevic-Papulin and Senior Associate Mina Zeljkovic.
Sectors
- Banking and Finance
- Retail
- Legal Services
Geography
- Balkans – BIG CEE is planning to expand its retail portfolio in the Balkans region as per the article.
Industry
- Banking and Finance – The article involves financial transactions and loans, specifically the EUR 72 million financing package from the EBRD.
- Retail – BIG CEE operates within the retail sector, and the financing is intended to expand its retail portfolio in the Balkans.
- Legal Services – The companies Karanovic & Partners and Harrisons provide legal advisory services for the transaction mentioned in the article.
Financials
- EUR 72 million – Partial financing from the EBRD to BIG CEE as part of a EUR 100 million package.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG CEE | Target | Company | BIG CEE is expanding its retail portfolio in the Balkans with the help of financing from the EBRD. |
| European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | The EBRD is providing a financing package to BIG CEE for its expansion efforts. |
| Karanovic & Partners | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal counsel to BIG CEE for securing the financing from the EBRD. |
| Harrisons | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal counsel to the EBRD in the financing transaction with BIG CEE. |
| Katarina Guduric | Legal Advisor | Person | Partner at Karanovic & Partners, involved in advising BIG CEE. |
| Ines Matijevic-Papulin | Legal Advisor | Person | Head of Banking and Finance at Harrisons, involved in advising the EBRD. |
| Mina Zeljkovic | Legal Advisor | Person | Senior Associate at Harrisons, involved in advising the EBRD. |