CROATIA TO BE GRANTED US100-MILLION LOAN FOR WATER PROTECTION

ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - The World Bank will provide assistance in a project on water protection in Croatia's coastal area with a US$100-million-worth loan, the Croatian Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction said in a statement on Friday. The loan will cover most of the project's costs and the remaining costs will be covered by the Croatian state budget, it was said at a meeting between Reconstruction Minister Radimir Cacic and the head of the World Bank Office in Croatia, Sandor Sipos. The project will be carried out by the Croatian Waters company. The meeting also tackled the implementation of a contract between Croatia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a deed of donation - non-repayable funds worth 325,000 dollars for the prevention of water pollution in Croatia's coastal region, to be given by the World Bank. The donation will be used for the assessment of the financial and operation potential of Croatian companies for waste water drainage and filtering as well as for carrying out preparations for an introductory technical study on the prevention of water pollution in the coastal area and for an independent financial audit of the activities to be carried out as part of the project. Results of this project will serve for determining a model of reconstruction of Croatia's water management system. (hina) rml