The European Investment Bank (EIB) announces a EUR 150 million loan to the Government of Catalonia to finance investment projects in the region. EIB Vice-President Magdalena Álvarez Arza and Catalonia’s Finance Minister, Antoni Castells, signed the finance contract in Barcelona today.
At the signing ceremony, the EIB Vice-President declared that “the Bank is firmly committed to supporting investment in Catalonia – especially in social amenities, which are a key means of furthering wellbeing and economic and social cohesion. The schemes financed by this loan are fully in line with the EU’s policy of promoting the knowledge economy and sustainable development. At the same time, this EIB loan will provide the necessary financial coverage to take forward the protection of Catalonia’s historic and cultural heritage”.
The project comprises a variety of small and medium-scale schemes located throughout Catalonia that will foster economic growth, job creation and cohesion through investment in human capital, urban regeneration, sustainable mobility and the environment.
The investment programme financed includes:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union’s long-term financing institution promoting EU objectives. Founded in 1958, it operates in the EU’s 27 Member States and over 130 other countries worldwide.
At the signing ceremony, the EIB Vice-President declared that “the Bank is firmly committed to supporting investment in Catalonia – especially in social amenities, which are a key means of furthering wellbeing and economic and social cohesion. The schemes financed by this loan are fully in line with the EU’s policy of promoting the knowledge economy and sustainable development. At the same time, this EIB loan will provide the necessary financial coverage to take forward the protection of Catalonia’s historic and cultural heritage”.
The project comprises a variety of small and medium-scale schemes located throughout Catalonia that will foster economic growth, job creation and cohesion through investment in human capital, urban regeneration, sustainable mobility and the environment.
The investment programme financed includes:
- The construction, refurbishment and expansion of primary and secondary schools, hospitals and clinics, care centres for the elderly and residences for the disabled and children.
- The rehabilitation of typical buildings of the region including the Oliver de Botiller Palace, Castelldefels Castle, Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, Sentmenat Castle, Santa Maria del Alba Church and Amatller House; and the construction and refurbishment of public libraries.
- The improvement of public spaces and green areas, including investment in energy efficiency, water saving and waste recycling, the removal of architectural barriers and the equipping of public buildings with new technologies.
- The extension of the underground and rail networks in Barcelona and the development of public transport outside the city.
- Investment to improve the sustainable use of land and of environmental resources in mountain and coastal areas.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union’s long-term financing institution promoting EU objectives. Founded in 1958, it operates in the EU’s 27 Member States and over 130 other countries worldwide.