Luxembourg, 30/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that through a loan of 155 million euro it will contribute to the financing of investments planned under the regional programme (Por) in Basilicata, region situated in Southern Italy. The investments programme includes infrastructure works (management of the water cycle, forests, environmental protection, promotion of renewable energies), intervention in the cultural area (restoration of the artistic and architectural heritage), human resources and economic systems, projects of urban renewal and improving the transport network.. The EIB assistance come on top of the funds from the Structural Funds, planned for the 2000-2006 period. With its population of 607,000 Basilicata is one of the seven regions of the country under Objective 1.