Those seeking engineering jobs in France may be interested to learn that a new agreement has been signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the country's Reseau Ferre de France and Synerail.

Under the terms of the agreement, the EIB will lend around €280 million to support the rail network over 15 years.

The contract - signed in Paris this month - marks the first public-private partnership (PPP) deal in the industry in France and is intended to enhance the safety and performance of trains.

Philippe de Fontaine Vive, vice-president of the EIB, welcomed the deal, which will also provide the bank's expertise and financial resources to participants in order to enhance passenger safety.

Funding will be spent on the construction and operation of a new GSM-R (Global System for Mobile communication - Railway) digital telecoms network that will extend to 14,000km of track over the next five years, potentially generating new engineering positions.

The EIB is a body charged with furthering the objectives of the European Union through the provision of long-term finance for investment purposes.