Brussels, 24/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 April, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted a €30 million loan to support the research, development and innovation activities of the LISI Group, a French company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of high precision fasteners for use in the aeronautics and automotive industries.
This EIB loan will go towards financing a new design centre for the group's aeronautics division in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône near Paris. EIB's backing for LISI is expected to have a catalytic effect on the finance plan for its expansion, thus enabling it to consolidate its position as a key supplier to major automotive and aeronautics manufacturers.
Supporting the European Union's Lisbon strategy, which aims to build a competitive knowledge- and innovation-based European economy, is a priority for the EIB's lending activity. The EIB has, to date, lent over €57 billion to support investment projects contributing to the implementation of the Lisbon agenda, with some €31billion of this for RDI projects. (O.L.)