EIB Group Opens Dedicated Country Office in Belgium to Boost Local Investment

In a move that underscores its deepening commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strengthening partnerships with local institutions, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has opened its first dedicated country office in Belgium. This strategic expansion aims to reinforce the EIB’s engagement with Belgian businesses, municipalities, and public institutions to accelerate the deployment of investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, innovation, climate action, and digitalization.

The new Belgian country office will be hosted at the EIB Group’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels and will be led by Torsten Brand, a seasoned senior banker and dual Belgian-German national with over a decade of experience at the EIB.

Strengthening EIB Presence and Local Support

The decision to open a country-specific office represents a major step in decentralizing operations and tailoring financial support to Belgium’s national priorities. EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot, responsible for BeNeLux operations, described the opening as a "significant step" that will facilitate faster, more agile, and targeted support for Belgian projects.

“From cutting-edge climate technologies to educational infrastructure, our local presence will allow us to work more closely with partners on the ground and respond swiftly to investment needs,” said de Groot.

A Track Record of Belgian Investment

Since signing its first operation in Belgium in 1962, the EIB Group—which includes both the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund (EIF)—has invested over €44.5 billion into a wide range of projects in the country.

These include:

• Princess Elizabeth Island, a pioneering offshore energy hub and key enabler of Belgium’s green energy transition

• Belgium’s national railway upgrades, improving sustainable mobility and regional connectivity

• Hospitals and higher education facilities, enhancing healthcare and skill development

• Digital infrastructure, supporting connectivity and smart technologies

• Venture debt for Belgian biotech startups, nurturing innovation in life sciences

• Ongoing collaborations with Belgium’s promotional banks, such as PMV and SFPIM, to amplify capital access for SMEs and public sector entities

Backing the Green and Digital Transitions

The opening comes at a pivotal time as Belgium pushes forward with its National Energy and Climate Plan and seeks to meet ambitious EU Green Deal targets. The EIB, as the EU’s climate bank, has a central role in financing projects aligned with climate neutrality and resilience.

Through the InvestEU programme, the EIB Group also enables Belgium’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and regional authorities to access de-risked finance for projects that support the green and digital transitions, social cohesion, and innovation ecosystems.

“The EIB’s expanded presence will not only catalyze more sustainable public investment but also help Belgian businesses seize new opportunities created by EU-wide transitions,” said Belgian Finance Minister Jan Jambon, who serves as a member of the EIB Group’s Board of Governors.

Torsten Brand to Head Country Office

The newly appointed head of the Belgian country office, Torsten Brand, brings considerable experience in public-sector financing and European affairs. Since 2015, Brand has worked on EU policy coordination and since 2022 has specifically focused on Belgium’s public sector portfolio.

A legal scholar with a PhD in law from the University of Passau, Brand previously held senior roles at the German Permanent Representation to the EU and in the Brussels offices of two German regional governments.

“It’s an honour to represent the EIB Group in my adoptive home nation,” Brand said. “This office is a testament to the Group’s dedication to Belgium and will help bring our financing tools closer to citizens, cities, and companies.”

Looking Ahead

The EIB’s Belgian office will prioritize facilitating high-impact projects, expanding financing to underserved sectors, and enhancing outreach to local stakeholders, including civil society and regional authorities. It will also support the EU’s post-pandemic recovery agenda and the NextGenerationEU facility by aligning investments with REPowerEU and digitalization goals.

By bringing its resources closer to stakeholders, the EIB aims to unlock innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth in Belgium—building a stronger bridge between EU policy objectives and real-world impact.