The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has approved a € 100 million loan to support the Lithuanian government’s response to COVID-19 and a € 21.5 million loan to Kauno Autobusai, the public transport company in Kaunas City Municipality, for investments in sustainable mobility.
The financing approved in support of the Government’s COVID-19 response plan will cover the purchase of personal protective equipment, reagents, medical equipment, and consumables, for the use of healthcare workers and the benefit of people seeking treatment. CEB financing may also finance the acquisition and lease of computers for socially disadvantaged pupils who do not have access to remote learning. The loan builds on and doubles the financing made available by the CEB in April 2020 to enable the Government to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds provided by the CEB to Kauno Autobusai will support the purchase of 100 hybrid buses, fully adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility. The new fleet will improve public transport services as well as help to reduce the company’s fossil fuel consumption and, thus, its greenhouse gas emissions.
CEB Governor Rolf Wenzel said: “Since March 2020, the CEB has mobilised more than €3 billion to support its member countries in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its impact on the economy and on the most vulnerable. As Europe is planning for its economic recovery, we are pleased to be able to provide concrete support to Lithuania in containing the pandemic and creating sustainable growth opportunities for all.”
In addition, the investment will contribute to Kaunas’s overall goal of encouraging residents to reduce private car use in favour of fast, comfortable, and safe public transport while improving access to jobs, education, services, and amenities for people with disabilities.
Original source: CEB
Published on 06 July 2020
