EIB delivers boost to SMEs in Italy and Slovakia
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted several loans, totalling 470 million euro, to support the development of innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy and Slovakia. On 10 November, the EIB concluded a 400 million euro loan with Banca Intesa - one of the bank's chief lending intermediaries in Italy - representing the first step in a broader cooperation between the two institutions designed to support private investment in innovative sectors. A portion of the funds have already been earmarked for the 'IntesaNova' programme - a Banca Intesa project launched in cooperation with leading Italian universities and research institutes to provide funds to innovative SMEs. Meanwhile, in Slovakia the EIB has agreed loans totalling 70 million euro for Slovenská Sporitel'na and CSOB Leasing Slovakia. The money will be used to fund small scale projects in areas such as environmental protection and improvement, rational energy use, infrastructure, industry, education and healthcare services, urban renewal and tourism. Both loans are granted under the SME Finance Facility, one of the aims of which is to further develop competitive small companies in the new Member States by providing EIB partners with incentives to lend.
Kraje
Italy, Slovakia