OREANDA-NEWS. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is granting a EUR 50 million credit line to SID Banka –Slovenia’s national promotional and development bank – to finance smaller projects of municipalities and public enterprises as well as SMEs and midcap companies in the areas of infrastructure, energy efficiency and the environment. EIB funds will also support schemes in the fields of transport, integrated territorial development, innovation and skills, climate change and economic and social cohesion.

EIB Vice-President László Baranyay said: “EIB funds will co-finance smaller projects implemented by Slovenian municipalities to upgrade and further develop sectors of Slovenia’s infrastructure, with the focus on energy and energy savings and the environment. At the same time this will help to strengthen the SME and midcap sector cooperating with municipalities – the engine of job creation and growth in Slovenia”.

SID banka’s President and CEO Sibil Svilan commented: “This new loan facility will boost SID banka’s capacity to offer dedicated products in the area of infrastructure, energy efficiency and environment. A special programme operated in cooperation with commercial banks will enable municipalities’ investments in this field, by provision of loans on favourable terms. And at the same time it demonstrates importance and benefits of close cooperation between the EIB and SID banka in tackling challenges in the Slovenian economy. “