The largest credit, amounting to EUR 1,000 million, is a credit line that aims to improve access to financing on favourable terms regarding time-frames and prices, for projects implemented by SMEs and mid-caps (firms with up to 3,000 employees), and mainly in the industrial and services sectors. ICO will contribute a further EUR 1,000 million, over and above the loan received from the EIB, and as a result the total volume of funds at the disposal of Spanish firms will amount to EUR 2,000 million.

The same meeting witnessed the signing of a loan for USD 150 million, pursuant to the agreement reached in October 2014 between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This agreement is intended to facilitate the international expansion of SMEs in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. 

In particular, the funds for the operation signed this morning between the ICO and the EIB in the presence of IDB's representative in Spain, will be allocated for the financing of foreign direct investment operations in Spain, in addition to supporting export activity and the globalisation of Spanish companies. ICO will complement EIB resources with a contribution of a further USD 150 million and consequently the total amount available for these activities will stand at USD 300 million.

Finally, the third operation that was signed consists of a credit line of EUR 250 million, aimed at financing investments undertaken by SMEs in specific Autonomous Communities. Antonio Beteta, Secretary of State for Public Administrations, participated in the signing ceremony.

The EIB funds will be channeled through ICO towards SMEs in those regions that are to benefit, as agreed with the Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administrations. In line with previous operations, ICO will match the EIB contribution, providing a further EUR 250 million, so that the volume of resources in this case will amount to EUR 500 million.

At the signing ceremony, Román Escolano, the EIB Vice-President, stated, "Today's signing is one more landmark in the close partnership that EIB has been fostering with the ICO, and that has intensified over the last few years. Together, the EIB and the ICO today place at the disposal of Spanish companies EUR 2,800 million that will undoubtedly serve to lay the permanent groundwork for economic recovery and job creation. And we are doing this with new instruments that are tailored to the specific needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in various sectors or regions."

Meanwhile, Irene Garrido, the ICO President, pointed out: "In signing this new financial agreement, I once again wish to thank the EIB for supporting Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises, which I am well aware constitutes one of the EIB`s priorities. This year ICO and the EIB have worked together on many initiatives, including in particular a 250 million loan for companies in particular autonomous communities, and which we have signed today in the presence of the Secretary of State for Public Administrations."

As Antonio Beteta, the Secretary of State for Public Administrations, made clear: "This credit enjoys the support of the Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administrations in view of the evidence of the pivotal role that is played by Spanish small and medium-sized businesses in economic growth and job creation. These liquidity facilities contribute to the rationalization and improvement of Spanish firms, especially those that are small and medium-sized. The government believes that a long-term solution to the crisis, rather than an interim solution, requires the support of small and medium-sized enterprises."

Source: ICO