Tag Archives: economic growth

CBI survey highlights urgent need for business rates reform to unlock UK investment and improve economic competitiveness

(IN BRIEF) A CBI survey of nearly 700 UK businesses has found that the current business rates system is significantly restricting investment, productivity, and growth. Around one-third of respondents reported cancelling or delaying property investments due to high costs and … Read the full press release

EIB Vice-President Visits Key Tunnel Construction Site for Romania’s Strategic A1 Motorway Project

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank is supporting the development of Romania’s A1 motorway, with Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris visiting the Curtea de Argeș construction site to review progress on a major tunnel section through the Carpathian Mountains. The motorway, which … Read the full press release

Sika Expands Central Asia Presence with New Subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan to Capture Construction Market Growth

(IN BRIEF) Sika has established a new national subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan to strengthen its presence in Central Asia and improve access to a rapidly growing construction market. The move expands the company’s global network to 103 subsidiaries and supports its … Read the full press release

EQT Expands Asia Investment Platform with Successful Close of Oversubscribed BPEA IX Fund

(IN BRIEF) EQT has closed its BPEA IX fund at USD 15.6 billion, making it the largest Asia Pacific-focused private equity fund to date. The oversubscribed fund reflects strong global investor demand despite challenging fundraising conditions in the region. Backed … Read the full press release

EIF Expands JEREMIE Programme with €210 Million to Strengthen Bulgaria’s High-Tech Innovation and Investment Ecosystem

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Fund is expanding the JEREMIE programme in Bulgaria with approximately €210 million in funding to support innovative companies in sectors such as AI, microelectronics, and advanced technologies. Managed through 2035, the initiative combines reinvested funds … Read the full press release

The London Cancer Hub Receives Planning Approval for Major Life-Sciences Expansion in Sutton

(IN BRIEF) The Institute of Cancer Research has welcomed Sutton Council’s approval of ambitious plans led by Aviva Capital Partners and Socius to create around one million square feet of new life-sciences research and laboratory space across a 12-acre site … Read the full press release

Why India’s Strategic Autonomy Matters for Europe in an Unpredictable World

(IN BRIEF) In 2025, India pursued a strategy of strategic autonomy aimed not at dominating the international system but at balancing it, drawing on historical experience and emphasizing institutional continuity, economic resilience, and multidimensional diplomacy. Rather than strict non-alignment, New … Read the full press release

National Grid Secures Key Industry Partners to Accelerate Clean Energy Infrastructure and Support Thousands of UK Jobs

(IN BRIEF) National Grid has taken a significant step in its Great Grid Upgrade programme by awarding major contracts for Sea Link, a proposed 140-km subsea electricity connection between Kent and Suffolk designed to deliver cleaner, more reliable energy. Siemens … Read the full press release

Finnvera joins EIF shareholder structure to support SME growth, private investment and innovation across Finland

(IN BRIEF) Finnvera has become a shareholder of the European Investment Fund, giving Finland direct representation in EU-level decision-making for SME financing and strengthening national access to European funding. The EIF provided €606 million to SMEs in Finland during 2024, … Read the full press release

EIB Global strengthens its Albania partnership with appointment of Alessandro de Concini as new country representative

(IN BRIEF) EIB Global has appointed Alessandro de Concini as its new representative to Albania, succeeding Petia Manolova, to strengthen the country’s green, digital, and EU accession efforts. With 17 years of experience in the EIB Group and a strong … Read the full press release

European Investment Bank backs Ireland’s housing strategy with major €400 million facility

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have announced a €400 million loan facility to boost the delivery of social and affordable homes across Ireland. The partnership enables 40-year fixed-rate financing for Local Authorities … Read the full press release

Logicor Leases 40,000 sqm Tarragona Logistics Hub to Danish Retailer Normal, Strengthening Catalonia’s Role as a Key Southern Europe Distribution Centre

(IN BRIEF) Logicor has leased its 40,000 sqm logistics hub in El Pla de Santa María (Tarragona) to Danish retailer Normal, marking the company’s first logistics centre outside Denmark. The facility will serve as a key distribution point for Spain, … Read the full press release

EBRD Launches €10 Million Initiative to Support Sustainable Growth in Albania’s SME Sector

(IN BRIEF) The EBRD has launched a €10 million financial package for Tirana Bank, including a €5 million SME Reboot loan to help Albanian SMEs invest in green technologies and a €5 million trade finance facility to expand the bank’s … Read the full press release

Delft’s new Van Marken Food Innovation Center highlights dsm-firmenich’s 155-year legacy and commitment to sustainable nutrition

(IN BRIEF) dsm-firmenich has inaugurated its Van Marken Food Innovation Center in Delft, the Netherlands, establishing a new hub for global food innovation and sustainability. Serving as headquarters for its €3 billion Taste, Texture & Health business unit, the facility … Read the full press release

EE unveils advanced technology and bold policy calls to drive 5G+ connectivity and economic growth

(IN BRIEF) EE has set an ambitious target to bring 5G standalone coverage, branded as 5G+, to 99% of the UK population by the end of FY30, outpacing rival operators by four years. The company is leveraging groundbreaking technologies, including … Read the full press release

Stronger KEF5 results highlight Newcastle University’s role in business collaboration, regeneration and societal benefit

(IN BRIEF) Newcastle University has advanced its performance in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5), achieving a score of 30 out of 35 and reinforcing its role in driving innovation, partnerships, and community engagement across the North East. The University excelled … Read the full press release

Nokia and MX Fiber Build 1,800 km Optical Backbone to Drive Economic Growth and Digital Inclusion in Southeastern Mexico

(IN BRIEF) Nokia and MX Fiber have launched a 1,800 km high-capacity optical backbone network in Southeastern Mexico to expand digital connectivity and support major economic projects, including the Interoceanic Corridor and Maya Train. Using Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch … Read the full press release

KfW-backed Yellow Line in Bangalore Metro Phase 2 Opens to Boost Sustainable Urban Transport

(IN BRIEF) The first section of Phase 2 of Bangalore’s metro expansion, the 19-kilometre Yellow Line with 16 stations, has officially opened, marking a major advancement in the city’s sustainable transport development. Backed by a EUR 340 million loan from … Read the full press release

FCA Launches AI Supercharged Sandbox with NVIDIA to Boost Innovation Across Financial Sector

(IN BRIEF) The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched the Supercharged Sandbox, a new initiative aimed at helping financial services firms safely experiment with artificial intelligence during the early discovery and testing phases. Partnering with NVIDIA, the FCA will provide … Read the full press release

EIB Partners with Bulgarian city Burgas to Launch Cutting-Edge Scientific Campus to Support Local Universities

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with Burgas to provide advisory services for the development of a state-of-the-art scientific campus, which is set to open in 2027. The campus, which will serve four universities in … Read the full press release