Brussels, 29/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 25 October, the European Investment Bank (EIB) decided to make lines of credit totalling €200 million available to local companies and entities in Emilia Romagna in the areas which were affected by the earthquake last May. The loans will be disbursed via local banks - including in particular those that signed up to the June framework agreement between the Emilia Romagna region, Confindustria and the municipalities of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena and Reggio Emilia - and also by credit institutions with a strong presence in the area.
Among the first lines of credit already signed between the EIB and the Italian banks are loans to BPER (€40 million), Intesa Sanpaolo (€50 million) and Centrobanca-Gruppo UBI Banca (€25 million), which represent a total of €115 million. The agreed loans will serve to finance projects realised by firms of all sizes (SMEs, mid-caps and large companies) and by local entities (municipalities and provinces) located in the areas affected by the earthquake. All sectors of activity traditionally financed by the EIB will be eligible. (OL/transl.fl)