Investment and Investment Finance

The European Investment Bank (EIB) became a contributing member of the JVI in December 2013. The EIB is the largest multilateral <link http: www.eib.org investor_relations index.htm>borrower and lender by volume and the central institution to support sound and sustainable investment inside and outside the EU, thus playing a pivotal role in Europe’s recovery and growth. As a contributing member, the EIB contributed for the first time to the JVI curriculum in 2014 and offered a 3-day-course during November 4-6 titled “Investment and Investment Finance - Guiding Principles and the EIB Group Expertise”. The course featured lecturers from the Economics, Operations and Projects Departments of the EIB as well as from the European Investment Fund which acts as part of the EIB Group as a specialist provider of risk finance to small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe.

The course discussed the role of the EIB Group in financing investment and EIB Group experts presented best standards and practices in terms of investment and investment finance. The lectures elaborated on, inter alia, infrastructure and SME financing, the EIB’s Results Measurement Framework, concepts and practice of cost-benefit analyses or EIB’s project advisory and capacity building for EU Cohesion Funding. In practical sessions participants were asked to evaluate the viability of a simple project or to determine which public policies can help overcome market failures.

The course provided a unique opportunity to strengthen operational links between the EIB Group and some of its partner countries while at the same time disseminating best practices and standards in line with EIB priorities. Course participants have the potential to become EIB entry points in their respective administrations. Therefore, an additional purpose of the training was to support development and convergence in partner countries through an increased visibility of the EIB and possible joint business opportunities.

The demand for the course was very high. The participants came from 20 JVI target countries, mostly from ministries of finance or economy, central banks, national guarantee and development banks, and think-tanks. Overall, the course was very well received. Participants appreciated especially the practical focus of most sessions as well as the detailed explanation of EIB activities and projects.

<link http: www.jvi.org training _blank>The EIB is offering this course again in the week November 3-6, 2015, and in light of the participants’ comments the EIB will allow for even more practical sessions, hands-on exercises, and case studies.

Tomas Slacik
European Investment Bank