The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a loan of SEK 1 000 m (EUR 108 m) to the County of Stockholm. The loan is directed at part-financing the County's ongoing investment programme in the healthcare sector.
In particular, this programme includes the construction of new, additional infrastructure; the adaptation, conversion, or refurbishment of existing buildings; the procurement of diagnostic, therapeutic or research equipment, and of IT, all of which will enable the County to continue to provide high quality health care for its resident population in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Investments will be undertaken in all six of the hospitals under the County's responsibility, including the Karolinska University Hospital and the Danderyd and Söder Hospitals, which share long-standing links in research collaboration with the Karolinska Institute, one of Europe's leading research and teaching institutions. These hospitals accommodate a number of the Institute's departments and conduct a significant part of its clinical research: new investments in these hospitals will help to strengthen further their position in advanced clinical research.
The EIB attaches high priority to investments in the health sector which facilitate R&D as part of its support for the establishment of a knowledge-oriented society in Europe, based on the conclusions of the EU Lisbon Summit in 2000.
The EIB is the European Union's long-term financing institution. With an excellent credit-rating (AAA), it borrows funds on capital markets worldwide at fine rates. Operating on a non-profit basis, the Bank passes on these resources to project promoters with a margin to cover operating expenses.