Brussels, 03/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing two separate loans to the provinces of Matera (€30 million) and Potenza (€40 million) to finance the European interest components of public works programmes. These investments are part of the Basilicata Regional Operational Programme, supported by EU Structural Funds. They concern the upgrading of the local road network and upper secondary school buildings. The EIB is also providing a loan of €400 million to the Sicily Region to co-finance its multi-sector Operational Programme under the 2000-2006 Community Support Framework. This programme is worth €10.3 billion and is financed by a mixture of public - EU, State and Regional - and private funds.