This MoU establishes cooperation in the context of the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) with a focus on the development of European transport and railway infrastructure.
The International Union of Railways (UIC), the worldwide railway association and professional technical platform, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 June 2016 aiming to develop a fruitful cooperation and strengthen their partnership in the context of the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH).
The European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH or the Hub) is one of the elements of the Investment Plan for Europe (IPE), an initiative by the European Commission and the EIB which aims to revive investment in strategic projects around Europe, in particular transport infrastructure projects to ensure that money reaches the real economy.
The European Investment Advisory Hub offers a single point of entry for advisory services for investment projects in the EU, building upon the expertise of the EIB Group, the European Commission, National Promotional Institutions and Member States’ Managing Authorities. The Hub supports projects which may be eligible for financing by the EIB (either under EFSI or otherwise), but the advisory support available under the Hub is not limited to EIB-financed projects.
UIC as the international technical platform of railways can offer the expertise and best practices from its members to support the objectives and activities of EIAH on specific railway infrastructure projects.
Mr Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General, underlined:
Since its creation in 1922, UIC has always strived to work towards the development of railways in Europe and worldwide. This has been done through a number of projects and studies; through the development of master schemes and strategic regional and global visions; through the promotion of railway values in a number of conferences and workshops all over the world, and through the publication of International Railway Solutions (IRS) which answer all the requirements and specifications for the operation and maintenance of railway undertakings.
This work has developed an exceptional professionalism which today takes the form of an agreement signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB). This agreement is recognised at a level which honours all UIC members and which will enable us to continue to bring contributions to this important financial stakeholder in favour of further developments of railway initiatives in the years to come.
About EIB
The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.
