Luxemburg, 03/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - André Antoine, Housing Minister of the Wallonia Region (Belgium), Alain Rosenoer, MD of Société Wallonne de Logement (SWL), and Philippe Maystadt, President of the EIB, on 21 December, signed a finance contract for the second €100 million tranche of an EIB loan for upgrading Wallonia's public sector housing stock to the latest standards of safety, comfort and equipment. The first tranche of €150 million was granted in June 2004.
This EIB loan will make a direct contribution to the implementation of the Walloon Government's €1.152 billion “Exceptional Investment Programme”. This five-year plan (2004-2008) involves the refurbishment of more than 36,000 rented social housing units in Wallonia, especially in the areas of Liège, Wavre, Charleroi and Tournai. Since 2004, two thirds of the 36,000 units targeted by the five-year plan have been, or are in the process of being, refurbished or rebuilt.
Over the past five years, the EIB has provided funding to the tune of nearly €28 billion for projects that have a direct impact in terms of improving the environment and enhancing the quality of life of urban-dwelling European citizens (€13 billion for urban renewal and €15 billion for urban public transport). In Belgium, over the same period (2003-2007), the EIB has provided €525.5 million for urban renewal projects and €325 million for urban transport networks. (O.L.)