News
CEB extends €37 million loan to Pomerania to support transport and health
16 October 2018
The funds provided by the CEB will finance regional public investments. First, the loan will support works aimed at developing road links between the region’s tri-city metropolitan area, comprising the cities of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia as well as surrounding areas. The project will provide improved access to multi-modal connecting points and better integrate the region with transregional and nation-wide road networks. Second, the CEB funds will be used to improve access to quality specialist health services for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental disorders, and will also finance prevention and diagnostic activities.
The loan is expected to have a very positive impact on the wider region, as it will improve the living conditions of its 2.3 million inhabitants, and help to reduce socio-economic disparities between the metropolitan area, where almost half of the region’s inhabitants reside, and the rest of Pomerania.
The agreement, which was signed by Pomerania’s Governor Mieczysław Struk and Vice-Governor Wiesław Byczkowski, follows a CEB loan previously extended to Pomerania for various projects successfully implemented in 2009-2011.
Governor Wenzel said: “The loan agreement signed today with the Region of Pomerania will support social programmes in important areas such as transport and health, which are key for social development and are among the CEB’s priority areas of financing. Poland is marking its 20th anniversary as CEB member this year, and I am pleased with the excellent cooperation that we maintain in a range of areas.”Set up in 1956, the CEB (Council of Europe Development Bank) has 41 member states. Twenty-two Central, Eastern and South Eastern European countries, forming the Bank's target countries, are listed among the member states. As a major instrument of the policy of solidarity in Europe, the Bank finances social projects by making available resources raised in conditions reflecting the quality of its rating (Aa1 with Moody's, outlook stable, AA+ with Standard & Poor's, outlook positive and AA+ with Fitch Ratings, outlook stable). It thus grants loans to its member states, and to financial institutions and local authorities in its member states for the financing of projects in the social sector, in accordance with its Articles of Agreement.