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An interesting experience shared Andrea Hagman , a member of the board of the Austrian Development Bank (OeKB). It is one of the youngest development banks in Europe and was established in 2009. The institution funds private sector projects in countries with developing economies. Companies that have approved projects are secured long-term funding if they are able to service their loans with their cash flow. Their activity should also have strong positive effect on the growth of the local economy. The Austrian Development Bank is working only with capital from the private sector. From a small bank at the start with five employees, it now has 25 people and last year has funded projects worth € 250 billion.

The secret behind the decision of a small development bank to invest abroad is the macroeconomic environment in which it develops. 80% of Austria's GDP comes from exports. The market in the country is mature and the economic conditions for production are strong enough. To maintain the level of exports in GDP, Austria alone develops new markets, which it can enter, and one of the tools it uses is that of investment banks. The projects eligible for funding directly link to innovation, SMEs and energy. Austrian Development Bank has financed a project for fuel pipeline construction in Georgia and energy efficiency projects in Serbia.