The CEO of Unicredit Federico Ghizzoni met in Luxembourg with the president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Werner Hoyer and the vice presidents Dario Scannapieco and Wilhelm Molterer.
During the meeting, a broad survey was made of the relations and activities in progress between the EIB and Unicredit for the financing of the European economy in all 22 countries where the banking group is present. With particular reference to Italy, a agreement which provides for new resources for 400 million euros to be provision by the EIB for the financing of small and medium-sized Italian enterprises (SME).
The new loan to Italian SMEs is aimed at companies with up to 250 employees: new and ongoing projects will be financed as long as they are not yet completed. The loan, which it can cover 100% of the investment (with a maximum of 12,5 million euros per project) is for the purchase, construction, extension and renovation of buildings; the purchase of plant, equipment, vehicles or machinery; expenses, ancillary charges and intangible assets related to projects, including research, development and innovation costs; the permanent need for working capital linked to the operational activity.
The projects of SMEs active in all productive sectors are eligible for funding: agriculture, handicrafts, industry, commerce, tourism and services. A portion will be reserved for companies active in the regions of Southern Italy, an area particularly penalized by the current crisis.
