The World Bank’s Boards of Executive Directors approved on Jan 29 a $156-million loan to help Vietnam improve traffic infrastructure in the Mekong Delta, the Ha Noi Moi newspaper reported on Jan 31.This amount is an additional credit for an ongoing project on upgrading the transport networks in the Mekong Delta region, where there is a dense network of canals.The project aims to: reduce transport costs and facilitate trade by improving the main inland waterways and road corridors in the Mekong Delta region; improve rural mobility of goods and people; and strengthen the effectiveness of transport institutions.In May 2007, the Vietnam government signed with the World Bank and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) an agreement on implementing this project with an initial total investment of $306.7 million until Dec 2013.However, the sum was raised to $404.57 million to lengthen the project until 2017.For this project, the AusAID has granted Vietnam a non-refundable fund worth $48 million under the strategic partnership between the AusAID and the WB to support Vietnam. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi Jan 31 p4, Stoxplus.com Jan 30)
