The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) lent Noble Resources Ukraine LLC, a wholly hosted subsidiary of Noble Group Limited - a heading global providing chain manager in agricultural and other commodities, the EBRD noted in a statement.

The loan agreement was concluded by the sides on October 13, 2009.

According to the agreement, EBRD financing will be supplied in the form of an annual revolving working capital loan with a maximum commitment of up to 50 million USD, which will be renewable for three years.

The facility will be used by Noble Resources Ukraine LLC for the producing, storage, and export of agricultural commodities in Ukraine.

Other project objectives in which EBRD collaboration is envisaged include the building or possible acquisition and upgrade of grain storage and primary processing facilities in Ukraine. Noble Resources Ukraine LLC will work with domestic operators on fostering improvement of their facilities and operations to get them in line with the best international practice.

Simultaneously Noble's own silos, operated to the best international standards, will encourage competition in the sector.

As it was reported, the EBRD earlier had intensions is to issue a 24 million USD long-term credit to one of the largest raw materials traders in the world - Noble Group Limited - for capital investment in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, and 60 million USD to replenish of its circulating capital for operations in Ukraine and Turkey.

According to the EBRD, the current strategy of Noble Group foresees planting, storage, processing and sales of farm products in our country. The group expects to quickly widen its share of the market thanks to closer work with local companies and active use of warehouse receipts.

Noble Group that is headquartered in Hong Kong, in 2009 increased its income by 55%, to 36 billion USD, while its net profit grew 2.2 times, to 580 million USD.