On December 13th the European Investment
 Bank announced a €
 8 million risk capital loan for the financing of three banana plantations
 belonging to the French group Compagnie Fruitière in Cameroon.
 The loan will finance measures aimed at increasing productivity
 through improved varieties, enhanced plantations infrastructure
 and environmentally friendly production methods. In addition provision
 is made for educational and health facilities on the plantations.
 The loan is deployed in parallel with the European Commission's
 structural aid to the Cameroon banana sector. The remuneration of
 the loan is linked to the project's performance.