The European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested EUR40 million in Quaero Capital’s European Infrastructure Fund.
The investment will help stimulate further interest in the fund, which aims to commit EUR250 million in equity financing for social infrastructure, transport, telecoms, energy and public or provide amenities.
The fund invests in the infrastructure project financing market, which translates into small and medium scale operations.
One of the larger-scale projects supported by the Quaero European Infrastructure Fund is the deployment of superfast broadband, which is designed to connect more than 370,000 homes, public amenities and firms to the fibre optic network across Alsace in the Grand Est Region of France.
The EIB’s participation in the project, which is covered by an EU guarantee, falls directly in line with the Juncker Plan’s aim to secure financial for strategic sectors.
Quaero Capital’s CEO Jean Keller says: “We’re delighted the EIB has the confidence in our infrastructure expertise just one year after receiving EUR50 million and the first close of Quaero European Infrastructure Fund. Infrastructure remains an attractive investment for many institutional investors because of the combination of long term financial commitment, shared risk and social benefit.”
