According to Croatian media, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a EUR 11.2 million loan for the completion of construction of a new bulk cargo terminal in Ploce - the Croatian Adriatic port.

The loan will enable the port to eliminate existing operational bottlenecks in handling bulk cargo and to increase its capacity to meet current and future market demands.

The construction of the terminal is part of the Ploce port expansion programme undertaken by the Croatian government, which the EBRD is co-financing jointly with the World Bank.

The loan will be guaranteed by the Republic of Croatia, while additional technical cooperation funding of EUR 50,000 has been provided by the Dutch donor fund for project preparation and assistance with preparation of the new concession agreement with the port operator.

By financing the Ploce Port expansion project, the EBRD and the World Bank will support the further development of trade along the Corridor Vc, one of the three major transport corridors linking Croatia to EU markets and improving coordination among all corridor participants in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.