EIB signs EUR 151m agreement to improve road safety in Lebanon

The EIB financing which comes under the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI) will contribute to creating substantial direct and indirect jobs, lowering vehicle operating costs, and improve road safety and maintenance costs.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) signed a financing agreement of EUR 151 million for the rehabilitation and safety improvements of 900 km of existing primary, secondary and tertiary roads in the country’s 25 districts. The EIB financing which comes under the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI) will contribute to creating substantial direct and indirect jobs, lowering vehicle operating costs, and improve road safety and maintenance costs.

“I am pleased to sign a new project that supports strategic infrastructure in Lebanon. Reliable and safe road networks are essential for trade and access to markets. It is an essential component of the overall business environment in the country. “EIB is keen to support Lebanon through the provision of resilient infrastructure to foster economic growth and employment,” commented Dario Scannapieco, Vice President of the European Investment Bank on the signature. 

The project will benefit from a EUR 1.8 million grant under the Economic Resilience Initiative trust Fund (ERIF) to support CDR in the implementation of the proposed project.

An investment grant of EUR 20 million from the EU’s Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) was approved in the first semester of 2019 to make the financial package even further concessional.

The Bank’s financing, which is covered by the EU Guarantee under the ELM 2014-2020, covers 36% of the overall project cost. The project is co-financed with the World Bank.

The project is a continuation of EIB’s engagement in the road sector. EIB signed two operations totaling EUR 135m to improve high road networks in Lebanon; Lebanese Highways I and Lebanese Highways II (A1 enlargement).