February 22 (SeeNews) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) said on Wednesday it will focus on catalysing private capital and implementing projects entailing higher risks in Croatia in the coming years.
In 2016, the EIB signed loans totalling 530 million euro ($557.2 million) in Croatia, 50% more than a year earlier, the lender said in a statement.
Its group member, the European Investment Fund, implemented operations in Croatia amounting to 16 million euro in 2016. This brought EIB Group financing in the country to 1.2% of it's GDP, the third highest figure among EU Member States, the lender noted.
Projects the bank supported in 2016, focused on reducing disparities in regional development, strengthening economic competitiveness and improving citizens’ living standards and quality of life. It also continued to support SMEs and youth employment, both key pillars of EIB activity in Croatia.
In 2016 in Croatia, the EIF committed 16.2 million euro in three guarantee operations aimed at raising 76 million euro and supporting 2 410 jobs.
($=0.9517 euro)