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The European Investment Bank (EIB) became a full member of the Association for Infrastructure Development (ARI) as of March 2021, z.s. It will include a strenghtened cooperation on events and communication activities and will be an opportunity for the EIB to interact more closely and share its expertise with other ARI members within the infrastructure financing working group, notably in the fields of infrastructure and PPP projects and regarding the implementation of the European Green Deal.

"The EIB, as the EU Climate Bank, is strongly committed to support the green transition and we see the deployment of sustainable finance as a key step in that direction. In particular, the EIB plays a major role in the development and the financing of green and climate-resilient investments. As a major public infrastructure financier, we see ARI as a natural partner in the Czech Republic and are delighted to enhance our cooperation and to join our forces in promoting sustainable investments” explained Nathalie Binet, Head of EIB Group office in Prague.

The EIB is the bank of the European Union and one of the largest supra-national financing institution. The role of the EIB group is to support investments by providing long-term financing, guarantees and advisory services. The EIB's activities focus on six priority areas: climate and environment, infrastructure, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized companies, development and cohesion. In the Czech Republic, the EIB Group has so far supported investments in excess of EUR 23.23 billion. In 2020, the EIB has engaged in a journey to becoming the EU Climate Bank by approving its Climate Bank Roadmap, with a view to dedicating 50% of its financing to climate action by 2025 and mobilising EUR 1tn of investments in climate action and environmental sustainability by 2030.

The EIB is very active in supporting the public and private sectors, providing investment financing, including in the field of PPPs. It also provides PPP advisory through its team of experts from EPEC – the European PPP Expertise Center. EPEC's mission is to support the public sector across Europe in ensuring better public-private partnerships. This is done through three pillars of activities - support for the preparation of PPP projects, support for the development of PPP methodology and the sharing of best practices.

The EIB also supports the Czech Republic through technical assistance provided notably by the European Investment Advisory Hub. The EIB can support municipalities through its „Urbis“ advisory programme or the preparation of energy efficiency projects through the „European Local ENergy Assistance“ (ELENA). Currently, the EIB supports the Ministry of Transport in the preparation of the D35 motorway section under the form of a PPP, and ČMZRB in setting up an advisory hub. It is also providing ELENA support for Energy Efficiency investments to the Central Bohemian region, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and CMZRB.

"We value the long-term cooperation with the EIB. The entry of the EIB among the full members of ARI is a great commitment for us, but mainly a recognition of our work, what ARI does and where it is headed. Investing in the green and digital economy and sustainable public infrastructure requires new thinking, new approaches and new ways of financing. The common goal is the sharing of information between members, cooperation on new products and innovative solutions, said Tomáš Janeba, President of ARI.

ARI acts as a private sector think-tank for public infrastructure, uniting the interests and opinions of more than 50 major infrastructure suppliers and institutions - design and engineering offices, construction companies, banks, investors and consultants. ARI promotes good international good practice in the preparation, implementation and financing of public infrastructure projects.