Dutch unlisted bank Rabobank and Dutch insurance company Delta Lloyd (BLV.DU) have started a fund to invest in Dutch companies, the companies said Tuesday.

Rabobank and Delta Lloyd have put starting capital of EUR200 million in the fund, called Project Holland Fonds, and have invited Dutch institutional investors to participate.

The aim is to have a total capital of EUR1 billion to invest in healthy Dutch companies.

The fund aims to deliver additional financing resources to stimulate the Dutch economy since traditional banks have curbed lending due to the economic downturn.

Delta Lloyd is part of Aviva PLC (AV.LN).

-By Bart Koster, Dow Jones Newswires; +31 20 571 5201; bart.koster@dowjones.com