The CEB bridge-finances social investments in the Slovak region of Trenčín to improve living conditions
The Trenčín Self-governing Region in the Slovak Republic, situated close to the borders with the neighbouring Czech Republic and comprising around one-tenth of the country’s population, is home to some of the oldest cities in the country and is rich in monuments and beautiful landscapes. With a regional GDP per capita in purchasing power standards slightly lower than that of the country’s average, which, in turn, is significantly lower than the EU average, Trenčín Region has great potential for further development in terms of public infrastructure.
Following the approval of a € 13 million
loan by the CEB’s Administrative Council in September 2016, the Vice-Governor
for Social Development Strategy, Rosa María Sánchez-Yebra Alonso, signed on
behalf of the Bank a loan agreement at a signing ceremony in Trenčín on 26
April. Representing the Self-governing Region was Jaroslav Baška, President of
the Region. Also present at the ceremony were Michal Žitňanský, Director of the
Region, Renáta Ozimová, Director of the Financial Department, Martina
Lamačková, Head of Regional Development Strategy and Project Implementation,
Eva Frývaldská, Executive Director of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Trenčín
Region, and Ján Matuška, CEB Country Manager for the Slovak Republic.
The CEB loan will provide bridge-financing
through an “EU Co-financing facility”, an instrument specially created by the
Bank for such cases, for projects financed by European Structural and
Investment Funds. CEB funds will ensure the uninterrupted financing of the
projects and accelerate their completion.
Specifically, there are three projects
concerned. The first is the opening of the south fortification of the Trenčín
Castle, which, combined with the construction of an access road through
Brezina, will allow the public to visit previously unseen parts of this
historic monument. The second project involves the construction of a cycle
route between Nemšová and Trenčín, to serve as a link between two important
cultural and natural sites. The construction of this cycle route is part of the
regional government’s wider efforts to support the development of cycling in
the region as a means of contributing to environmental protection and strengthening
regional infrastructure. The third project foresees the modernisation of a
library in Považská Bystrica.
Commenting on the loan agreement, Vice-Governor Sánchez-Yebra Alonso said: “I am pleased to have signed the first loan provided by the CEB to the Trenčín Self-governing Region. The funds will improve the living conditions of the region’s 600,000 inhabitants and help to protect the cultural heritage, whilst also improving the economic environment. This agreement will strengthen further the excellent cooperation between the CEB and the Slovak Republic.”