ADB aid for China, RI

ADB aid for China, RI

MANILA (AFP): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Saturday
it had approved about US$593.9 million in loans and grants to
China, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia.

The biggest aid, amounting to $386.9 million will go China.
The aid will consist of in three loans and two technical
assistance grants.

The bank said the aid for China will be used to help finance
expressway projects, agricultural development and improvement of
soil and water conservation.

A loan of $180 million will go for rural road improvements in
Thailand, while a $25.1-million loan will also go to improving
rural roads in Cambodia.

A $1.5-million technical assistance grant will go to
Cambodia's Ministry of Rural Development to help it in managing
activities related to the road project.

Indonesia will receive a $900,000 grant to prepare studies on
a proposed project to develop the ports of Balikpapan,
Banjarmasin and Gresik, the ADB said, adding that the project
would likely receive ADB financing.