Broken down by sectors, this banking institution invested EUR 888 million through mediation loans in Croatia from 2001 to 2010, which accounted for 36 % of the EIB lending activities in the country.
In that period, loans in the total amount of EUR 831 million (35%) were granted for transport projects. EIB granted EUR 334 million (14%) in urban and utility infrastructure projects. The energy sector with EUR 281 million (12 %) in loans and industry and services receiving EUR 61 million (3%) followed.
Last year, EIB approved a EUR 250 million loan to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) for financing projects by small and medium-sized companies and local units of self-government.
The EIB vice president said that during 2010 EIB ensured EUR 200 million for co-funding Croatia's national share in the implementation of projects financed by IPA and ISPA pre-accession funds.
In the coming period, the bank group would like to help Croatia overcome the crisis and prepare itself for the European Union membership, including drawing money from EU funds, Kollatz Ahnen said.
EIB is particularly interested in investing in the sectors of energy, transport, environment protection and infrastructure development.
One of major projects involving EIB is the construction of the Budapest-Sarajevo-Police transport corridor.