BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 7. The European
Investment Bank (EIB) Group boosted its financing in the Czech
Republic by 33% in 2024, reaching a total of 2.47 billion euros,
Trend reports.
According to the bank, this marks the third consecutive year of
increased support, with a focus on the railway and energy sectors
as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The funding
includes 2.34 billion euros from the EIB and 190 million euros from
the European Investment Fund (EIF), aimed at supporting
micro-companies and SMEs.
Key areas of investment include the modernization of the Czech
railway network, with 527 million euros allocated to the government
and 300 million euros to national rail operator České dráhy. The
energy sector also saw significant support, with 400 million euros
dedicated to strengthening the electricity grid. EIB financing in
energy doubled compared to 2023, contributing to the country’s
efforts to combat climate change and boost energy independence.
The EIB also supported Czech businesses, providing 866 million
euros to SMEs and mid-caps, marking an 83% increase from the
previous year. Notably, 90 million euros was allocated to e-grocery
company Rohlik, and 30 million euro to software producer Y Soft for
research advancements.
Additionally, the EIF injected 190 million euros into equity,
inclusive finance, and guarantees, helping to unlock further
investment opportunities for Czech businesses.
EIB Group financing also created nearly 89,000 jobs in the
country, demonstrating its commitment to economic growth and
employment. Since 2020, the EIB Group has invested nearly 9 billion
euros in the Czech Republic, and its total financing over more than
30 years has reached approximately 29.4 billion euros.
