Since the start of the global economic and financial crisis, the European Union has faced low levels of investment and high levels of unemployment.
Underinvestment undermines economic growth and erodes the competitiveness and growth potential of the economy. For this reason, achieving renewed growth and increasing jobs (without further debt!) is the European Commission’s top priority.
To address these challenges, the European Commission, in partnership with the European Investment Bank, has launched the so-called Investment Plan for Europe, which aims to mobilise public and private investment of at least €315 billion by 2018. It aims to:
- Stimulate investment,
- boost competitiveness,
- promote long-term economic growth in the EU
The Investment Plan for Europe therefore rests on three pillars:
- The first pillar consists of financial instruments to help attract investment and multiply its impact through the multiplier effect. The European Fund for Strategic Investments is an integral part.
- The second pillar consists of technical instruments such as the European Investment Projects Portal and the European Investment Advisory Centre.
- The third pillar focuses on improving the investment environment and deeper integration of the internal single market in this area. The focus is on removing administrative and regulatory barriers.
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), created in 2015, serves as the driving force behind the Investment Plan. It aims to close existing market gaps and mobilise private investment where the market is currently failing. The Fund supports strategic investments in key areas such as infrastructure, education, research and innovation, as well as venture finance for small businesses.
The European Fund for Strategic Investments was set up as a separately managed account within the European Investment Bank (EIB). It uses public funds to mobilise additional private investment and provides credit protection for financing provided by the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
In the same year, the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) was set up to provide administrative and technical support to project promoters across Europe. It offers them advice on appropriate sources of funding and access to a unique set of technical and financial issues.
The European Investment Project Portal (EIPP) was set up in 2016 and allows EU-based public and private project promoters to reach potential investors anywhere in the world.
The Czech Republic was one of the first countries to sign an EFSI agreement. This was thanks to the cooperation between the EIF and the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank under the COSME programme supported by the EFSI. Based on this agreement, it will be possible to increase loans for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic by up to CZK 4.4 billion under the Guarantee 2015-2023 programme.
The Investment Plan is already delivering results in the form of projects across sectors and countries.
Join the investment programme and take the chance to find investment opportunities and partners.
More information here and here.
News here.
Download the publications below:
https://iregio.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Lets-investEU.pdf
