Brussels, 10/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to lend €100 million to SG Equipment Finance Czech Republic SRO (SGEF CZ), the leasing arm of Société Générale in the Czech Republic. This new type of loan is in line with the EIB's priority of strengthening its support for Europe's SMEs to help mitigate the effects of the current credit crisis. For this, the Bank is simplifying its procedures and broadening the scope of financing by also covering intangibles. It is increasing transparency and working towards a more effective transfer of the advantage of EIB funds to the final beneficiary. The loan will serve to co-finance small and medium-sized projects in the areas of industry, transport, environmental protection, energy and energy saving, infrastructure including health and education facilities, services, tourism and other projects enhancing the knowledge-based economy. The EIB funds will finance projects usually implemented by SMEs (companies with fewer than 250 employees), midcap companies (which have between more 250 and 3,000 employees) and local municipalities, and will improve their access to long-term finance. (O.L./transl.rt)