The European Investment Bank has granted a loan of EUR 200 million for infrastructure schemes in the fields of education, transport, improvement and protection of the environment and urban rehabilitation in the Province of Rome.
At least 50% of the loan granted will be intended for operations in areas afflicted by particular economic and social development problems. With this operation, the European Union's financing institution is contributing to the Province of Rome's investment plan for the 2004-2006 period.
The EIB supports the integrated development of metropolitan Rome. Since its operations in connection with the 2000 Jubilee, there has been a succession of loans specifically aimed at improving the quality of life in urban areas, mobility and consequently access to the labour market.
The loan advanced to the Province of Rome forms part of the initiative to increase the responsibilities of local authorities in line with the policy guidelines of the European Union (subsidiarity) and of Italy itself. In fact, this is the EIB's fourth loan to an Italian province, following those granted to Ferrara and Genoa.
The finance contract for the first tranche of the loan was entered into today at the EIB's headquarters in Luxembourg. Philippe Maystadt, EIB President, signed the contract in the presence of the President of the Province of Rome, Enrico Gasbarra