Brussels, 23/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 November, the European Investment Bank (EIB) decided to lend €130 million to finance the research, development and innovation (RDI) projects in healthcare IT and imaging technology of the Agfa Group. These strategic projects for Agfa HealthCare aim to increase both the efficiency of healthcare and the quality of services for patients. By financing these projects, the EIB will foster RDI investment in Europe. This includes RDI activities in the period 2010 up to and including 2013. RDI activities will mostly take place in Agfa HealthCare's R&D centres in Belgium, Germany, Austria and France. The EIB finance consists of a 7-year loan signed under the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF), designed by the EIB and the European Commission to finance research, development and innovation projects in the EU member states. (O.L./transl.jl)