03/04/2020 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Thursday 2 April the launch of a new financing initiative that aims to unlock close to €1.6 billion of investment in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector. This €700 million financing aims to support private companies operating throughout the value chains of production and processing of food, bio-based materials and bioenergy. The programme will contribute to safeguard and create employment in rural areas and therefore promote rural development and territorial integration across the EU. The programme is a continuation of the first €400 million agriculture and bioeconomy programme loan that was launched in 2018 and is nearly fully committed. (LC)