Luxembourg, 05/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB), has just granted a EUR 50 million loan to support post-war reconstruction in Croatia. The proposed Framework Loan is for the financing of small to medium-sized municipal infrastructure projects in Areas of Special State Concern (“ASSC”), i.e those areas in Croatia most devastated by the wars in the 1990's and amongst the poorest and least developed in the country. The operation is aimed at reversing the negative economic consequences of the recent conflicts, accelerating the return of the displaced population, stimulating demographic and economic progress, and ensuring a more balanced development of the ASSC when compared with the rest of the country. Inhabitants will benefit from the provision of essential infrastructure on foot of the rehabilitation and construction programme, which will also facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons to the respective localities. In addition, the EIB stresses that resulting physical renewal of settlements will generate a number of positive externalities, principally associated with community development and prospects for regional growth. During the period 2003-05, the Ministry's overall rehabilitation investment expenditure in the ASSC areas is expected to amount to some EUR 450 m.