The European Investment Bank (EIB) has said in a statement that it has approved a EUR 120 million loan for the expansion of Zagreb Airport, whereby the design and construction of a new passenger terminal will be financed.
Zagreb Airport is the most important airport in Croatia which represents a key connection between Croatia, the Balkan region and the rest of Europe, the statement said.
When completed, Zagreb Airport will provide additional capacities for alleviating the existing traffic jams and facilitate the handling of an increased turnover expected in the future. The project will help increase Croatia's competitiveness because of its position at the junction of the priority pan-European transport corridors V and X.
This is also the first concession-type project supported by the EIB. It is expected to be financed through public-private partnership. It could become a catalyst for other such projects that could be developed in Croatia and the Western Balkans.
The Croatian government last April signed with the French Zagreb Airport International Company (ZAIC) a EUR 324 million contract giving ZAIC a 30-year concession to build a new passenger terminal at Zagreb Airport and manage the existing and the new terminal and their infrastructure.
Construction will be carried out by Bouygues Batiment International in partnership with Viadukt and other Croatian companies.
The new terminal, expected to be completed within three years, will be able to handle five million passengers, three million more than now.
The concession revenue over the 30-year period will amount to EUR 1.94 billion.
(Hina)
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