Brussels, 21/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €300 million 'new generation' EIB loan to the ING bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. ING will act as a financial intermediary for the EIB funds, forwarding them to Dutch SMEs to encourage economic growth. Small businesses play a key role in the Dutch economy and this EUR 300 million loan will be used to finance eligible investment projects undertaken by Dutch enterprises across all economic sectors with fewer than 250 employees. The EIB says that small independent businesses in the Netherlands should start to benefit from the EIB funding within the next few weeks. (O.L./transl.fl)