NIJMEGEN, Netherlands, Jan 15 (Reuters) -

N etherlands-based computer chip maker NXP said on

Wednesday it has secured a 1 billion euro ($1.03 billion)loan

from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support research and

development projects in five European countries.

The EIB, the European Union's long-term lending institution,

said the loan was part of a investment programme it launched

last year aimed at strengthening Europe's position in strategic

technologies including microchips and artificial intelligence.

NXP, one of the largest makers of semiconductors used in

cars, said it would draw on the six-year loan facility, which

carries a 4.75% interest rate, for projects in Austria, France,

Germany, the Netherlands and Romania.

Apart from the pure research and development of new power

electronics devices, microprocessors and microcontrollers, NXP

will also focus on the energy efficiency of its devices, it said

in a statement.

Europe must "remain an indispensable player in the value

chains of critical technologies," EIB manager Robert de Groot

said in a statement.

"Semiconductors are key to the digital and green

transitions."

Earlier this month NXP announced a $625 million acquisition

of Austria's TTTech Auto.

($1 = 0.9710 euros)