18th October 2019, Washington – European Investment Bank (EIB) will invest around EUR 80 million in financing Skopje Wastewater Treatment Plant. Around EUR 10 million of these funds will be grant funds from EIB. Under this Project, wastewater treatment plant will be built and put into operation, which will serve more than 650,000 citizens from the City of Skopje. The financing of this major infrastructure project, as well as several other future projects were discussed at the meeting between the delegation headed by Minister of Finance Nina Angelovska and the Governor of the National Bank Anita Angelovska – Bezoska and the Vice President of EIB Andrew McDoweell, during the Annual Meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), being held in Washington.
Minister of Finance Angelovska stressed that EIB was committed partner in the country’s development, with a current investment portfolio in the public sector in the amount of EUR 185 million. She underlined that EIB invested in projects, which provide for accelerating the economic growth in the country, through support for the sector of small- and medium-sized enterprises, as well as by investing in major infrastructure projects.
Total value of the Skopje Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is EUR 136 million, out of which the remaining funds will be provided from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It is expected for the agreements with the international financial institutions for financing Skopje Wastewater Treatment Plant to be signed by the end of this year.
Approval of additional EUR 50 million for the Water Supply and Waster Water Collection Project was also discussed at the meeting, as a result of the successful implementation of the ongoing project, the total value of which is EUR 50 million.
EIB representatives also expressed readiness to finance the third section of the railway line along Corridor VIII, i.e. from Kriva Palanka to Deve Bair. Section is 23.4 km-long, and in addition to EIB, EBRD will also participate in its financing, whereby resources under IPA funds will be used as well.
McDowell expressed contentment with the realization of the credit line for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the amount of EUR 100 million, out of which EUR 44 million has been disbursed under favourable terms and conditions.