Sir, Your editorial...is right to touch on the potential for the European Investment Bank [EIB] to be a key instrument to deliver on European Union development goals. However, as things currently stand, the EIB is not equipped to do so...Without clear and binding environmental, social and human rights standards and safeguards, as well as significant improvements to its low level of in-house expertise on development issues, the EIB will remain as a convenient source of subsidies for EU companies seeking to do business in the developing countries, but it will not contribute to poverty alleviation, improving standards of living or bringing about sustainable development for the countries outside the EU...