In Slovenia, EIB Group President Nadia Calviño charts greater support for key national goals from energy to housing
European Investment Bank (EIB) Group President Nadia Calviño visited Slovenia on November 7th to map future financing in key areas such as sustainable transport, energy infrastructure and capital markets.
As part of a tour of European Union Member States, President Calviño met Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, Prime Minister Robert Golob and Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič. They discussed the EIB Group’s financial and advisory support for Slovenia and opportunities to expand the financing of projects in the country. Only in the last five years, the EIB Group has invested more than €1 billion in Slovenia, being the largest international lender to the country, in key areas such as sustainable transport, energy infrastructure and capital markets.
“We are the largest international lender to Slovenia. Our investments support innovation and competitiveness of the Slovenian economy, and the wellbeing of citizens, including through affordable housing”, said President Calviño.
Calviño pledged continued long-term financing and advisory support by the EIB Group for investments that accelerate climate action, increase energy independence, drive digitalization, boost capital markets, promote regional development and improve social infrastructure, especially in the area of affordable housing. The EIB stands ready to support the government’s efforts to build up to 20.000 affordable and social housing units in the coming years.
One of our milestone projects in Slovenia includes a €250 million investment in railways, projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 49,000 tonnes annually. Our green investment helps bring affordable power to European households and businesses and strengthens the resilience of our infrastructure and economies against climate change. It also promotes innovation and productivity, boosting sustainable growth. Our investments in local electricity distribution cover 4 out 5 distribution companies, supplying around 9 out of 10 of Slovenian households.
Boštjančič highlighted the strong partnership between Slovenia and the EIB Group: ‘’In Slovenia, we have successfully cooperated with the EIB Group in the past in a number of areas that have been key to developing our infrastructure, improving the quality of life of our citizens and transitioning to a sustainable economy. Slovenia is committed to the goals of green transition, circular economy and digitalization, and we count on the EIB Group’s support to continue to be our reliable partner in financing these key transformations.’’
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It finances projects that further EU policy objectives such as social and territorial cohesion, competitiveness, innovation, sustainable development and a fair and rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.