In 2023, EIB Global, the
financial arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), has
invested a record €1.2 billion in the Western Balkans to
mobilize more than €6 billion in new investment in the region,
enhancing its connectivity, energy transition, and SME growth,
in line with EU priorities. The EIB reported in a statement.
"The funds support projects under the Economic and Investment
Plan and the Global Gateway initiative, strategic tools of the
EU to fill existing infrastructure gaps and improve living
standards," said Kyriacos Kakouris, EIB Vice-President in charge
of the region.
The largest share of the new funds (58%, 693 million euros)
went to safer and more sustainable transportation, particularly
to rail lines in Serbia (Belgrade-Niš) and northern Macedonia
(Kriva Palanka-Bulgarian border).
Additional funding was then signed for the modernization of
urban transport in Sarajevo and a road rehabilitation and safety
project in Serbia. Twenty-three percent of the financing, or
€275 million, was used to support SMEs in the Western Balkans,
whereas the remaining funds were invested in energy, water,
health, and education projects. Since 2010, the EIB has invested
more than 10 billion euros in the region to help local economies
grow sustainably.
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