Commission identifies investment areas for EU’s External Investment Plan

Further information:

The EIP aims to mobilise €44 billion of sustainable investment for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood (ENP) countries. Five areas of investment were identified:

+ Sustainable Energy and Connectivity;
+ Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Financing;
+ Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Entrepreneurs and Agribusiness;
+ Sustainable Cities;
+ Digital for Development.

These so-called 'investment windows' would be targetted for the initial implementation of the External Investment Plan.

Background information:

The External Investment Plan (EIP) aims to support more inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and the European Neighbourhood. It is set to boost public and private investment and thus address some of the obstacles to growth in partner countries and of the root causes of irregular migration.

To mark its implementation, the first Strategic Board of the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) met on 28 September 2017. The Strategic Board includes the EU Member States and the European Investment Bank, as well as the European Parliament as observer. The stakeholders discussed a series of proposals for concrete areas for investment, the so-called 'investment windows'. These windows define priority sectors for the EFSD Guarantee.

The proposal on the EFSD operational regulation was put forward by the European Commission in September 2016. The Council of the European Union agreed on its general approach in December 2016 and the European Parliament adopted its own negotiating position in April 2017. An agreement between the institutions was reached in June.

The European Commission reported on 23 November 2017 on the definition of areas of investments for its External Investment Plan (EIP).

• Primary Source

European Commission: European External Investment Plan [Q&A] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-3484_en.htm

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