In early 2024, Croatia was granted a loan of about EUR 900 million by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The loan is part of the EIB's largest loan transaction in Croatia to date. EIB funds will be used for the renovation, modernization, expansion and improvement of Croatian railway infrastructure and rolling stock. On 8 November 2024, EIB President Nadia Calviño paid her first official visit to Croatia during her tenure at the helm of the EIB.

As part of her visit, she met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Marko Primorac. At the meeting, they discussed the current and future activities of the EIB in Croatia, as well as a new strategic direction of the EIB in response to the existing and potential future needs of the Member States of the European Union.

After the meeting with Minister Primorac, EIB President Calviño visited HŽ Putnički prijevoz where she was welcomed by State Secretaries at the Ministry of Transport, Josip Bilaver and Žarko Tušek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Zrinka Raguž, Director of the Railway Infrastructure and Transport Board Jasna Divić, President of the HŽ Putnički prijevoz Management Board Željko Ukić, Member of the HŽ Infrastruktura Management Board Subhi Tawfiq, President of the KONČAR Electrical Industry Management Board Gordan Kolak and President of the KONČAR Electric Vehicles Management Board Josip Ninić.

As part of the visit, President Calviño was on board HŽPP's newest train, which had entered into service this April. It is an electric train designated for use in regional transport, produced as part of the project Renovation of the HŽ Putnički prijevoz Rolling Stock with New Electric Trains, co-financed by the European Union through the Cohesion Fund.

In addition to the representatives of ministries, railway companies and train manufacturers, the 25-year-old train driver Lea Fućkar also greeted President Calviño on board the train. Lea is one of the 10 female train drivers employed by HŽPP. Readily answering questions about driving a train and how she decided to become a train driver, she delighted the delegation of the European Investment Bank.

As part of this loan, HŽPP is due to procure six electro-diesel trains to connect Zagreb and Split, for the production of which a contract was signed in July 2024, and which will be put in operation by the end of 2026. Furthermore, a purchase of another 5 electro-diesel trains for long-distance transport is planned, as well as four battery and four battery electric trains that will run on non-electrified lines, and two charging stations at the stations in Lupoglav and Velika. This loan will also finance the construction of the Technical and Logistics Centre in Zagreb.

Significant funds will be invested in the renovation and modernization of local and regional railway tracks, i.e. parts of the railway network that cannot be financed by grants, as they are not a part of European corridors. In addition to the renovation and modernization of the railway tracks, the financing extends to the renovation of train stations and stops, purchases of parts and maintenance equipment as well as other projects under the jurisdiction of HŽ Infrastruktura.

The ongoing large-scale railway investment cycle will significantly contribute to making public transport more attractive, efficient and sustainable. One of the goals is also to reduce the overall impact of transportation on the environment and strengthen economic activity. In addition to the financial resources secured through EU funds and the state budget, the European Investment Bank loan will contribute to a significant improvement of the entire railway sector.