STRATEGY

Long-term vision, strategic industry partners and sustainable investment — these are the foundations of our investment approach.

Investment, by its very definition, is our future. Investment in infrastructure is critical to the vitality of our cities and communities, and to economic competitiveness across Europe. I4B — The Belgian Infrastructure Fund — is committed to financing projects which sustain that vitality in the real economy, whether public or private sector projects, from our ports and energy farms to our interconnected cities and communities in Belgium and beyond.

 

I4B’s targeted 400 million Euro fund will bring long-term infrastructure projects to life for a total capex value between 2 and 3 billion Euros.

Sustainable Infrastructure

I4B’s investments align with the goals set by the 2018 Belgian National Pact for Strategic Investments, encouraging the revitalization of infrastructure investments in Belgium. On a wider scale, I4B’s investments answer to the European Union Invest EU Plan for the period 2021-2027 (in continuation of the 2015 Juncker Plan) by encouraging Belgian related infrastructure projects across Europe, always with a focus on projects turned to the environment, sustainable development, and the transition to renewable energy sources. 

 

Industrial Partnerships

Through long-term partnerships with well-selected industrial actors, we mutually access a highly diversified project pipeline. These relationships open all the segments of the infrastructure market, fostering a network of reliable strategic partners for executing, constructing, maintaining, and operating all our investments.

 
 

All Development Stages

I4B considers investment projects at all stages of development: greenfield, yellowfield and brownfield, with priority given to the first two.

I4B is a fund dedicated to long-term infrastructure investments alongside key industrial partners. It aims to supporting the development of the real economy and to meet the need for secure and reliable infrastructure.

 

As such, the Fund can commit equity or quasi-equity from early to late stages of project development and implementation. As an investor it can be part of a consortium which submits an offer in a public or private tender process for a Design, Build, Finance and Maintain (and even Operate) project. It can also commit funds once a contract is awarded and construction begins or alternatively when construction is completed. And at the other end of the spectrum, it can also purchase stakes in an existing up and running infrastructure project. Private sector projects can also be developed and implemented by the Fund directly with the sponsors or with the future users of the infrastructure on an exclusive basis. All projects are individually lodged into special purpose vehicles/companies which raise senior debt to complement the Fund’s equity stake in order to match the project’s total capital expenditures.

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Investment Instruments

I4B invests in the form of equity or quasi-equity, using any combination of the following:

  • Pure equity

  • Quasi equity (preferred share, shareholders loans)

  • Convertible bonds

  • Mezzanine debt

  • Structured debt

I4B can act as a single shareholder, and can also co-invest with other equity partners on a case-by-case basis.