Mid-term performance evaluation of the USAID/Kosovo loan portfolio guarantee (LPG) project with Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo JSC

The LPG project is presently being carried out by USAID/Kosovo in collaboration with RBK and with the support of the USAID/Development Credit Authority (DCA) in Washington, DC. The evaluation was conducted during the period of May through June, 2012, by a team of two international consultants that consisted of an Agribusiness Specialist and a Finance and Budget Analyst. The main objective of the evaluation was to analyse the LPG project in terms of its effectiveness, impact, relevance, and the sustainability of its agricultural and agribusiness lending program. Secondary objectives were to determine: 1) the LPG projects effect on employment and economic growth in the agriculture and agribusiness sub-sectors; and 2) RBKs performance in lending to these sub-sectors compared to the performance of other banks.The LPG project has achieved its purpose. The project has been an effective mechanism to facilitate the expansion of RBKs loan portfolio into agriculture and agribusiness. Additional findings and recommendations are summarized.