General Information
Oesterreichische Entwicklungbank AG (OeEB - the Development Bank of Austria) became EDFI's newest member on April 1, 2008. OeEB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB), the Export Credit Agency of Austria, and is mandated to support commercially self-sustaining projects in the private sector of developing countries that meet certain development policy criteria (ie. proverty reduction, employment, gender equality, women empowerment, know-how transfer etc.). The activities of OeEB are not tied to national interests and as a development bank it does not compete with commercial banks, but complements their activities. The relevant guidelines for OoEB's activities are laid down in the Export Promotion Act, the Federal Development Cooperation Act and in the 3-year Programme of the Austrian Development Cooperation and Cooperation with Eastern Europe.

With respect to financial instruments, OeEB can act as equity partner or provide mezzanine financing, long-term loans, refinancing lines for financial institutions, participation in funds or financial institutons. OeEB can source its capital from the market or via OeKB. In addition to the commercial financing activities, OeEB has been provided by the Government of Austria with grant money to finance technical assistance measures to enhance the developmental impacts.

Although a privately-owned bank, the political and commercial risks involved in the projects of OeEB are covered by sovereign guarantees issued by the Government of Austria.

OeEB is incorporated as a joint stock company under the laws of the Federal Republic of Austria and has its registered office in Vienna.