Vietnam and the World Bank (WB)’s International Development Association (IDA) have signed negotiation deal on urban transport development project worth $277 million in the northern city of Haiphong. Of the sum, the IDA will provide $175 million in official development assistance (ODA) to help Haiphong to carry out the project, the Giao thong Van tai newspaper reported Mar 3. The project, which will be carried out in 2011-2016 period, include construction of a 20-kilometer road from Le Loi to Hai An, bridges of Niem 2, Dong Khe, Truong Chinh road and some bus routes to Tien Lang. It also contributes to improve capacity on traffic management, make plans for urban development and public transportation. The WB has pledged around $2.6 billion in ODA for Vietnam this year and also announced to finance over $6 billion for the country in the 2011-2013 fiscal years. (Giao thong Van tai – Transport Mar 3 p2)
