Governor Radović at the Annual EBRD Meeting: Transforming Financial Systems to Support Female Entrepreneurs
14/05/2025
The CBCG Governor, Irena Radović, participated today in the 34th EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum in London, where she met with the institution’s President, Odile Renaud-Basso.
The discussions focused on further cooperation to enhance inclusion and access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Montenegro. Special attention was paid to implementing the ongoing WE Finance Code and Women on Boards projects, which aim to strengthen the role of women in the Montenegrin economy.
Later in the day, Governor Radović participated in the discussion panel titled Her capital, our future: transforming financial systems so women entrepreneurs can change the world.
The panel addressed strategic reforms and digital solutions necessary for empowering women entrepreneurs globally while identifying key obstacles and potential improvements related to women’s access to finance.
In her presentation, Governor Radović stressed that financial systems, both globally and in Montenegro, still do not adequately recognise the potential of women entrepreneurs. She pointed out that the gender gap in access to finance poses a significant barrier to economic growth.
“Equal access to finance is essential - not only from from a fairness perspective, but also because of the substantial economic potential that women entrepreneurs represent. The World Bank survey shows that closing the gender gap could increase global GDP by approximately 3-5% in the long term,” said the Governor.
She presented the CBCG - WE Finance Code initiatives and the Women on Boards programme, whose goal is to improve access to financing for SMEs owned or led by women and prepare the business community for implementing the EU Directive on gender balance in governance positions.
The Governor highlighted the importance of digital solutions as a key instrument in expanding access to finance, reducing costs and building more inclusive financial systems, especially for women in rural areas and the informal economy sector.
The conclusions and key messages of the panel were summarised by the President of the EBRD, Renaud-Basso, emphasising the joint responsibility of all stakeholders in creating a financial environment that recognises and supports the full potential of women entrepreneurs.
Today’s event brought together senior officials, investors, policymakers and leaders of financial institutions worldwide, and participants shared concrete examples of good practices and proposed reforms that can contribute to building fairer and more inclusive financial systems.
Panel Her capital, our future: transforming financial systems so women entrepreneurs can change the world