Brussels, 22/06/2010 (Agence Europe) -During an official visit to Kenya, a delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) headed by EIB vice-president with responsibility for Africa, Plutarchos Sakellaris, confirmed the EIB's commitment to supporting growth in the private sector and infrastructure in East Africa. Over the past five years, the EIB has granted some €890 million-worth of loans in East Africa, 52% of them to energy projects. Over the same period, the EIB provided €227 million in loans for Kenya. Speaking at a Nairobi press conference, Sakellaris said: “The European Investment Bank will do its best to ensure that energy, transport and SME investment can continue at ambitious levels, so that Kenya can continue to play an important economic role not only in the East African region, but also in the world.” Alongside upgrading Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta international airport (see related article), the EIB is also providing funding for a high-voltage transmission line between Nairobi and Mombassa, and expansion of the Olkaria geothermal plant. It is expected that the EIB will provide nearly €240 million of funding for these projects. (O.L./transl.fl)