Terminal B opened at airport in Dubrovnik - investment worth EUR 23.5m

Terminal B at the airport in Dubrovnik, which was opened today (May 12, 2010), doubles the airport's size, from 6,320 to 13,740 square meters, which will facilitate reception of the expected increased number of passengers during this year's season.

Erste Group financed expansion of that airport, which is the third largest in Croatia.

- Construction of Terminal B is ensured by means of direct private funding, which represents a rare instrument of finance in Croatia. Total value of the project is EUR 23.5m, nearly EUR 19m of which were provided by Erste Group, while the rest was set aside by the airport in Dubrovnik - Erste Group announced.

- Our CEE Infrastructure Development Support Strategy is focused on the sectors that are crucial for economic growth of the countries in that region. Tourism in Croatia brings about fifth of the country's GNP and that is why the investment in that field represents one of the key priorities. Dubrovnik is particularly important since it is one of the most desirable holiday destinations in Croatia, which is especially attractive to foreign tourists. Since it is the easiest to reach Croatia from air, and tourists are coming from all countries of Europe, it is of vital important that the size and capacity of the airport meet international standards. Our support to doubling of the airport's size contributed to realization of this goal - Werner Weihs-Raabl, the Manager of Erste Group's Infrastructure Finance and Public Sector, explained.