OREANDA-NEWS. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 50m to the Republic of Moldova to finance the improvement and modernisation of Moldova’s railway network and rolling stock. The project has received a 5 million EUR investment grant from the European Union, and is co-financed with the EBRD. This is the first time EIB financing has been granted to the Moldovan railways sector, and will upgrade assets partially located on the extended TEN-T and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.

EIB, EU and EBRD funds will help to foster trade both in Moldova and between Moldova and its trading partners in the EU and Eastern Neighbourhood region. The EIB loan will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of local products and generating efficiencies, potentially increasing exports. This project is part of a broader programme which also includes the restructuring of the Moldovan railway sector in order to enable it to provide adequate services and to compete with other modes of transport.

The EIB support provided to the railway sector will have a positive environmental impact by preventing modal shift from rail to road, and by reducing pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions and noise levels.