Brussels, 21/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Tuesday 20 September that it is to lend €150 million to Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy (EFL) to finance projects in industry and services, including energy, environmental protection, health and education and also investment supporting the development of the knowledge economy in Poland. SMEs and mid-cap companies will be the final beneficiaries of this EIB loan.
This loan is in line with the EIB's priority of strengthening its support for Europe's SMEs and mid-caps to help improve their access to long-term finance. EFL is the leading leasing company in Poland, with an established franchise and strong brand recognition. It was founded in 1991 and has been part of the French Crédit Agricole S.A group since 2001.
Under the intermediated loan announced on Tuesday, EFL will benefit from the SME Finance Facility, a special scheme supported by European Commission grants. Aimed at further developing strong and competitive small and medium-sized enterprises, the SME Finance Facility provides the EIB's partner financial institutions with incentives to lend to SMEs.
This is the third operation between the EIB and EFL. (OL/transl.rt)