Brussels, 03/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has decided to grant a loan of EUR 40 million (i.e. equivalent to $41 million) from its own resources to four banks in the Dominican Republic: Banco Popular, Banco Intercontinental (Baninter), Banco BHD and Banco Nacional de Credito (Bancredito). The loan will run for 12 years, including a 4-year deferral. The aid is the first part of a two-part operation amounting to a total of EUR 80 million. The banks taking part will on-lend in the form of secondary loans whose counter-value in euros will be between one and four million. Private companies of the Dominican Republic wishing to have access to long-term financing in euros or in dollars will be eligible for the loan in order to implement medium-sized projects - and especially those likely to generate sustainable jobs and generate receipts in currency - in industry, agri-foods, tourism, transport, communications, extracting industries, production infrastructures and related services. Funds will be made available within the context of the second financial protocol of the fourth Lomé Convention and will also benefit from interest rate subsidies under the European Development Fund.