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The European Investment Bank has authorized the granting of a loan of 430 million euros to the Generalitat of Catalonia, of which a first tranche of 180 million has already been signed. These resources will finance investments planned in the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Program for Catalonia 2021-2027, a part of which is assumed by the Generalitat.
Specifically, the loan will be allocated to strategic projects in various areas of activity, including research, development and innovation (RDI), water use and management, digitalization, energy efficiency of public buildings, the protection of biodiversity and improving access to public health services for vulnerable groups, among other areas. Investments fully aligned with the EIB's public policy priorities: innovation, digitalization and human capital, sustainable energy and natural resources, and sustainable cities and regions.
The Minister of Economy and Finance of the Generalitat, Natàlia Mas Guix, has detailed that the agreement between the Generalitat and the EIB is "the most important financing operation since 2010" with the European institutions and has stressed that it is proof of that "the main European institutions trust in the solvency of the economy of Catalonia and in the Government of the Generalitat." In this sense, he has indicated that the 430 million euros will allow the promotion of "strategic projects for Catalonia" related to the reinforcement of research equipment, the decarbonization of transport or the regeneration of water, "a capital instrument for the fight against drought.” In short, “investments that will translate into improvements for the citizens of Catalonia in the coming years,” he assured.
For his part, the vice-president of the EIB, Ricardo Mourinho, has highlighted that the signing of this agreement with the Generalitat is “a specific contribution to transversal objectives of the EIB such as climate action and environmental sustainability, the financing aims to strengthen green transition and competitiveness in numerous sectors.”
The signing for the remaining 250 million euros will become effective at the beginning of 2024. With these 180 million that have just been signed, the Generalitat will finance, among others, investments in four areas.
Firstly, it will allocate 23 million euros to the installation of photovoltaic panels in the infrastructure of the Generalitat of Catalonia by La Energètica, the Generalitat's energy company. The objective of this investment is to develop the photovoltaic generation capacity of the Generalitat's facilities, mainly on the roofs of the buildings, but also in spaces and infrastructure compatible with these facilities, in order to optimize the return on investment.
Secondly, projects to promote water regeneration as a key element in the circular economy and in the fight against drought. Specifically, the Generalitat will dedicate 20 million euros to the construction of Water Regeneration Stations to increase the amount of reused water by improving the infrastructure for the production of regenerated water, in accordance with the Program of measures of the Water Management Plan. river basin district of Catalonia 2022-2027.
Thirdly, 15 million euros will go to the public purchase of innovation. The RIS3CAT 2030 Innovation Public Procurement Program promotes this type of investments aimed at the transformation of public administration. This program plans, for example, to introduce innovations in the Administration to improve the efficiency of the services it provides to citizens.
And finally, 7.8 million euros for the digitalization of Public Administration. The Generalitat aims to transform, digitize and significantly improve public services, with the aim of both optimizing their provision and increasing transparency and proximity to citizens.
