14/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Loans to Region of Castilla-La Mancha. The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided, on Friday 11 March, to grant four loans to the Region of Castilla-La Mancha to a total of €189 million. A loan of €50 million will pay for the construction of cultural, health and education centres. €25 million will help to fund protection and improvement measures for the forests of the region. €55 million will be earmarked for the 2009-2013 investment programme of the University of Castilla-La Mancha; the project will entail the construction of new buildings and the renovation of old ones, to increase the space available for teaching and research, which will allow students to benefit from a wider range of courses and better-quality teaching. Lastly, €60 million will go to fund projects put forward by small and medium-sized enterprises (main sectors of industry, tourism, services and knowledge-based economy) and the local authorities. (O.L./transl.fl)