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The role played by the European Investment Bank in Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2025

Judith Clifton
Affiliation:
Departamento de Economía, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España Maison Sciences Humaines, University of Luxembourg, Belval-Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Daniel Díaz-Fuentes*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Economía, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
Ana Lara Gómez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Economía, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España
*
Corresponding author: Daniel Díaz-Fuentes; Email: diazd@unican.es

Abstract

This article contributes new knowledge on the insertion of Spain into the European integration project and shows how European Investment Bank (EIB) policy, in the form of loans, helped boost the Spanish economy. EIB loans to Spain promoted both the Trans-European Networks (TENs) and the funding of enterprises. We argue that the funding of TENs encouraged the integration of Spain into the European space, whilst the funding of enterprises helped consolidate their competitive position, facilitating their expansion abroad.

Resumen

Resumen

Este artículo amplía el conocimiento sobre la inserción de España en el proyecto de integración europeo y muestra cómo la política del Banco Europeo de Inversiones (BEI), en forma de préstamos, ayudó a dinamizar la economía española. Los préstamos del BEI a España impulsaron las Redes Transeuropeas (RTE) y la financiación de empresas. Sostenemos que la financiación de las RTE promovió la integración de España en el espacio europeo, al tiempo que la financiación de empresas ayudó a consolidar su posición competitiva, facilitando su expansión en el exterior.

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Type
Articles/Artículos
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Instituto Figuerola de Historia y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

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