(ANSA) - BELGRADE, NOV. 23 - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a 100 million euro loan to Serbia to improve the river transport and navigation system along the Danube and Sava, the two largest rivers in the country, which are part of the trans-European river transport project involving Rhine/Moselle/Main/Danube. The deal was signed today in Belgrade by the Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali and Matteo Rivellini, head of Eib for Slovenia, Croatia and the Western Balkans, in the presence of the head of the EU delegation in Serbia Sem Fabrizi and the Serbian vice premier and transport and infrastructure minister Zorana Mihajlovic.

These funds, made known by the Eib in a statement, will help facilitate operations from the mainland to river transport, supporting economic growth and creating new jobs. The investment has also been underlined, will strengthen the system of connections between European countries and improve regional cooperation. In total, the Eib said, more than 200 million euros will be invested for various projects in this sector, starting in 2019.

The vice-president of EIB Dario Scannapieco, responsible for operations in the Western Balkans, underlined the bank's great commitment to supporting growth in the Balkan region. "The loan signed today is another example of very fruitful cooperation with Serbia and I am convinced that this project will create economic benefit for the country and its citizens, laying the foundations for further investment in the sector", Scannapieco said. Ministers Mali and Mihajlovic and ambassador Fabrizi expressed their satisfaction. (ANSA).