Projects under Juncker investment plan starting to roll out

Brussels

EUROPEAN Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker promised his investment plan would pump 315 billion euros (S$504 billion) into the European Union's economy.

A month after winning approval from EU nations and the European Parliament, the projects are starting to roll out under the plan and banks and national development authorities are signing on, giving taxpayers and financial markets a first chance to see the programme in action as they assess whether they think it will work.

"The investment plan is taking shape and producing results," Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen said in an e-mail interview.

The investment programme was designed to bolster the European Investment Bank so it can take more risk in picking projects to support. The programme also targets small and medium-sized businesses through collaboration with the European Investme…