Brussels, 25/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 March, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted two loans to support small and medium sized projects in Slovenia: - €25 million to Banka Celje d.d. and €25 million to Gorenjska banka d.d. Both loans will co-finance projects promoted by SMEs and priority investments of public authorities, in particular energy and environment infrastructure. They are both designed to reduce the impact of the current economic crisis by improving access to medium and long-term funds on advantageous financial terms. To this end, the EIB has simplified its procedures and broadened the scope of its financing by also covering intangible types of investment. In addition, the bank is increasing transparency by working towards a more effective transfer of the advantage of EIB funds to the final beneficiaries. (O.L./transl.jl)