16/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - €40 million loan to improve water distribution. On Friday 13 June, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced a €40 million loan to help the refurbishment and upgrading of municipal water facilities in Georgia. The loan will help to maintain the continuity of the water supply, reduce water leakages in the water supply system and improve water quality across 28 cities in Georgia, according to the EIB. The operation will benefit from an investment grant of €8 million from the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF). In 2010 the EIB loaned €40 million for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the water sector in Georgia. The EIB has to date signed loans of nearly €500 million in Georgia for projects in the energy, transport and water sectors, and operations supporting SMEs. (CG)