A loan of US$150 million to water supply and sanitation projects
in central China's Henan Province has been approved by the World
Bank's Board of Executive Directors, according to Xinhua report
Sunday.
The projects aim to improve water supply and wastewater
management in 38 towns under 12 municipalities of Henan Province,
through the construction of water production facilities, water
distribution networks, wastewater collection pipes and wastewater
treatment facilities, said the bank.
The projects are part of the first group of the bank's major
projects targeted to support rural towns' efforts to cope with
rapid urbanization -- a key development challenge given that around
70 percent of rural-urban migrants over the coming decade are
expected to settle in towns rather than in big cities.
According to the bank, the projects will address issues of water
shortage, and will provide technical assistance for institutional
development including regional planning for rural town development,
water sector regulations, and project management and utility staff
training.
(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2006)