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of goods from the road to rails. The centers for fleet maintenance and management are going to be expanded
and modernized with these funds starting in 2018. These projects mean a reduction in individual road traffic.
• Sustainable real estate financing:
Two real estate financing projects from the past year are particularly worthy of mention: The
Hyatt Regency hotel in Amsterdam, completed in 2017 with 226 rooms/suites, has everything
expected of a 5-star hotel and also satisfies the highest environmental standards (energy, waste
water). A portion of the historic façade was even preserved. The hotel is located within the historic
canal ring of Amsterdam and is easily accessible by public transportation. It was recognized with the BREEAM
certificate – the highest sustainability certificate ever received by a hotel in the Netherlands.
The office complex EXPO 2000 is a highlight for Raiffeisen Property Holding International GmbH as well as
an outstanding property in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The project has now achieved its full extent with the
completion of phase IV with 12,300 m2 of modern office space and underground garage (construction costs
of about € 23 million) financed by RBI AG – just like the majority of the first three construction phases. Phase IV
is leased entirely to major Western European companies. The property is situated halfway between the airport
and the city of Sofia and is surrounded by residential and recreational facilities as well as development
properties. The building received LEED Platinum certification and was recognized as “Building of the Year
2017” in Bulgaria.
Hyatt Regency, Amsterdam, © Bart van Hoek EXPO 2000, Sofia, @ Bernd Steingruber
The overall portfolio of RBI AG in sustainable real estate financing currently amounts to approx. € 317 million. The
sustainability certificates include ÖGNI Blue Card, LEED Gold and Platinum as well as BREEAM. The various
projects focus on aspects such as energy efficiency, avoiding motorized private transportation, renewable
energy sources, comfort criteria, safety, construction site management, life cycle costs, capacity for alternative
uses, use of environmental products, water efficiency, integration and infrastructure, integral planning, energy
monitoring and building operation.
Positive impacts on research, education and innovation
• Research and science:
In this area, an R&D loan was issued for the development of medications for cancer therapy.
• Education and training:
Concessionary financing was provided for the expansion and improvement of an existing educational institute
for technical professions in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2017