On 28th November 2023, the Board of Directors of Belgian infrastructure operator Infrabel approved the raising of a loan of up to €1 billion to realise various projects to increase the capacity of the railway network. The projects include the completion of construction sites for regional rail transport, of the AXE 3 line between Ottignies and the Luxembourg border, of the Ghent – Bruges line, as well as expansions at the ports of Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp. The financing will be provided by a bond subscribed in two tranches with the Federal Debt Agency, with the first tranche of €800 million being capitalised from 2025. This measure follows the approval by the Council of Ministers in December 2022 of Infrabel's performance contract and its financial and multi-annual investment plan for the period 2023-2032, during which €16.4 billion was made available for investments in the network and operational needs.
