Brussels, 10/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 10 January, the European Commission adopted an assistance programme in favour of local banks and credit establishments, mainly in the ten new Member States, aimed at attenuating the difficulties encountered by enterprise, especially SMEs, when seeking financing. The Commission's initiative, which will then be relayed by international financial institutions and especially the EBRD, EIF and the EIB in cooperation with the Kreditanstalt, should make it possible to increase the confidence of fund providers and credit establishments, mainly those in the new Members States, and their ability to grants loans to SMEs. Also, the initial amount of EUR 6 million intended for annual financing of technical assistance and the strengthening of capacities in the EU countries suffering from a low level of bank loans will be increased by an additional EUR 30 million from the own funds of participant financial institutions.