The bank disbursed the first installment of €50m towards the construction of wastewater treatment works and the laying of strategic rainwater piping to improve the existing infrastructure in the region.
Commenting on the Aquafin chairman Marc van den Abeelen remarked that given the difficulty in securing a long-term loan from domestic banks in the current economic environment, the EIB loan assumes greater significance.
EIB vice-president Pim Van Ballekom added, "The schemes that Aquafin will be able to carry out with this new loan will help to improve water quality in the Flemish Region’s water courses, with a direct impact on the River Schelde and the North Sea."
The loan is EIB’s eighth financial assistance to Aquafin’s investment in the Flemish Region’s wastewater treatment facilities since 1994.
