Brussels, 17/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 16 June, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Fiat Group signed the €400 million finance contract approved by the EIB's Board of Directors in March. The loan is intended to support the motor group's research and development projects and comes under the European Clean Transport Facility (ECTF), the EIB plan targeting European manufacturers for projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions and achieving greater energy efficiency. Dario Scannapieco, EIB Vice-President with responsibility for operations in Italy, Malta and the Western Balkans, remarked that investment in research and development was crucial for companies' sustainable development. He added that this was all the more crucial “at times like now when companies must plan ahead with the aim of boosting their own competitiveness, a concept that FIAT has clearly grasped”. (O.L./transl.rt)