30/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that its financial arm for the Mediterranean Region, the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP), has provided the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration with a €50 million loan, corresponding to half of the total project cost, for significantly upgrading municipal infrastructure across Syria. The Bank says that this framework facility concerns the financing of different investment schemes in Syrian cities mainly covering the fields of urban renewal, urban traffic and transport, public tourist facilities, wastewater, treatment of liquid waste from industry and solid waste management. The programme is the first of its kind to be approved by the EIB for the Syrian Arab Republic. (F.B./transl.rt)