Greece on Thursday sealed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the immediate release of 750 million euros (968 million U.S. dollars) in loans to small and medium-sized businesses in the sectors of transport, energy and education this year.

"This agreement will boost liquidity in the real economy which is struggling due to the debt crisis," Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said, according to a statement released by his office, after the signing of the deal with visiting EIB President Werner Hoyer.

Hoyer said the agreement was a message to Greeks and European citizens that the EIB would continue to support Greece as it makes its way through the crisis.

Greek enterprises are faced with liquidity woes as the country remains plunged in deep recession for a fifth consecutive year.

The debt-laden country has relied on multi-billion euro loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund since 2010 to avoid bankruptcy and a possible exit from the euro.

Two months ago, the EIB announced it would grant Greece an additional 1.4 billion euros (1.8 billion dollars) by 2016 to support small and medium businesses, considered the backbone of Greece's economy.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet