Brussels, 20/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to provide a loan of €10 million for fire services in Greece. It will help fund a series of public-private infrastructure projects.
The project includes the design, construction, insurance, maintenance and operation of seven fire department buildings in Alexandroupoli, Giannitsa, Veroia, Lefkada, Kalavryta, Gargalianoi and Thessaloniki. The seven new buildings of an average 1-2 000 sq. m floor area are part of a wider programme to improve the fire fighting physical infrastructure in Greece. This will in turn improve also its operating capacity, and have positive spill-over effects on security and the environment, as they will be useful for fighting forest fires. The investment is promoted by the Hellenic Public Real Estate Corporation SA (KED), whose mission is to manage the Greek state's property portfolio with the main objective of maximising its value. The loan is going to Fire Brigades Partnership Special Purpose SA, a special purpose company established by the Gatzoulas-Kourtidis Consortium, which has been awarded the concession. (O.L./transl.fl)