Luxembourg, 19/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a loan of €25 million to AS Hansapank to part-finance investments undertaken by mid-cap enterprises (less than 3,000 employees) in the Baltic States. In Estonia, Hanspank itself will on-lend the EIB funds to mid-cap corporates and, in Latvia and Lithuania, through its subsidiary banks, Hansabanka and Hansabankas. Investment projects in the sectors of manufacturing, services, energy, environment, research and development as well as innovation dissemination qualify for EIB funding. This is the first EIB mid-cap facility in the Baltic States and will improve access of promoters to medium and long-term financial resources. As recourse to new equity or bond issuance is often not an option, the rapid growth of mid-cap companies in the Baltic States continues to require financing in the form of bank loans, the EIB states in a press release. (ol)