The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with Rabobank and global financier DLL to further support Dutch SMEs and mid-caps. A credit facility worth a total of €400mn will be available to Dutch companies, which will be able to request a loan at discounted rates.

The sum is evenly split between Rabobank and DLL, which will receive €200mn each. According to an EIB statement, it is expected that at least 300 entrepreneurs will be able to benefit from the facility.

“As a result of the economic downturn many SME companies have gone through challenging times. It is great to note that in many sectors companies have resumed their growth path. As such this joint arrangement with the EIB comes at the right time and will [help] Rabobank’s clients to seek new opportunities,” says Jan van Nieuwenhuizen, board member of Rabobank.

Milko Wijckmans, general manager of DLL in the Netherlands, adds: “Providing integrated financial solutions that strengthen the entrepreneurial climate and benefit business is one of our core principles. Due to EIB’s support we’re able to enable Dutch entrepreneurs to further develop their business and positively contribute to our national economy which is a significant valuable contributor and highly appreciated.”

The facility follows a previous agreement signed in June and it aims to encourage Dutch businesses that need investment in order to develop.