Robert de Groot is an Alumnus of Erasmus school of Economics, he graduated in 1987. Nowadays, Robert is the vicepresident of the European Investment Bank.
Robert de Groot has been Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) since February 2023. The EIB is not a commercial bank but a public institution that has been financing European projects since 1958, particularly those that are difficult to launch otherwise. Robert de Groot is responsible for areas such as mobility, security, and defense. Under his leadership, the EIB aims to provide more support to the European defense industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often struggle to access financing.
The EIB has €8 billion available for defense projects, of which €5.5 billion remains unclaimed. de Groot highlights rule relaxations since May 2024, making it easier for defense companies to obtain loans for dual-use technologies. He is currently on a roadshow across Europe to raise awareness of EIB funding opportunities and encourage collaboration with defense ministries. Projects such as strengthening infrastructure security or acquiring satellites could be financed.
Robert emphasizes that the EIB does not directly finance weapons or ammunition but contributes to broader security projects. He hopes European countries will cooperate more quickly and make better use of available financing options. Through these efforts, the EIB aims to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities amid growing geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine. Robert de Groot sees his new role in implementing policy decisions as an exciting challenge.
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