RIJEKA GATEWAY PROJECT ACTIVITIES PRESENTED

RIJEKA, Sept 9 (Hina) - Representatives of the World Bank, Rijeka Port Authority, Croatian Roads (HC), and Croatian Highways (HAC) presented in Rijeka earlier this week activities related to the US$266.1 million Rijeka Gateway Project. #L# The project envisages the construction and reconstruction of the road grid in the Rijeka area as well as the modernisation and privatisation of Rijeka's port. The Croatian government and the World Bank signed a guarantee contract for the project based on which the Bank granted Rijeka Port Authority, HC, and HAC a $156.6 million loan. One of the conditions was that the lessees secure $109.6 million. HAC is building 402 km of highways in the 2001-5 period, an investment of EUR2.2 billion on the company's part, including about 120 km to be completed by the end of this year, representatives said. (hina) ha