ANKARA - The European Investment Bank will extend a loan of 30 million euro for the supply of potable water and wastewater infrastructure of the northern city of Samsun.
Releasing a statement, the European Investment Bank said on Tuesday, ''the loan is intended to part-finance the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Kutlikent, a deep-sea outfall into the Black Sea, and the upgrading and extension of the wastewater collection and drainage system in Samsun. As such, it aims to enhance the living conditions of local residents as well as reduce pollution in the Black Sea.''
The loan was signed in Ankara by the European Investment Bank Vice President Roth, and will be the tenth of its kind in Turkey, but the first to be located in the Black Sea cost region.
''The financing of Samsun wastewater falls within the European Investment Bank's objective to help protect and improve the overall environment in the wider Mediterranean region. Also, the project will support the city in gradually meeting the EU directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment. The adoption of higher environmental standards will contribute to making the economic development of the region sustainable in the long-run,'' the Bank said.
The European Investment Bank's cumulative financing in Turkey stands at 3.6 billion euro and relates to investments in a wide range of economic sectors. Municipal financing for investments in environment and urban transport represent some 28 percent. Financing of small and medium scale enterprises account for about 20 percent and industry for 16 percent. Some 18 percent was directed to earthquake damage reconstruction.