Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and KfW have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of financing for infrastructure and transport projects in Europe.

Through this partnership both banks intend to contribute to discussion in Europe and to implement projects in the interest of the European Union.

In particular, Caisse des Dépôts has invited KfW to participate in the Galaxy Fund along with the San Paolo IMI Group and the European Investment Bank (EIB). This participation emphasises the will of the partners to work with direct investments in European infrastructure projects, claim the two groups.

Additionally, Caisse des Dépôts and KfW have announced their contribution to the establishment of a PPP Fund Europe with the EIB. The objective of this fund is to supplement the institutional and European funds provided for the financing and operation of PPP infrastructure projects (public private partnership) with private funds.

KfW and Caisse des Dépôts, which has been collaborating closely in these areas with the San Paolo IMI Group since November 2002, have agreed to launch their joint effort without delay in the form of initial, specific measures and to call on other major European institutions to join in.