WORLD BANK FINANCING 11 PROJECTS IN CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 9361 ) ZAGREB, March 21 (Hina) - The World Bank had approved loans totalling US$576.5 million, by the end of November last year, of which US$277.6 million is for the financing of 11 projects. The biggest loan is US$128 million for the Project of Urgent Reconstructions of which US$119.7 million has been paid out according World Bank data. The urgent reconstructions project began in 1994 and should be completed at the end of March this year. It involves the reconstruction of Croatia's infrastructure - roads, railways, sewage systems and waterworks. The Croatian Government estimated the value of that project to be US$205.3 million. The reconstruction of roads project which began at the start of 1995 and is due for completion by the end of the year 2000 is valued at US$568 million. For this project the World Bank approved a US$80 million loan for Croatia together with US$47.5 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Of the approved amount, the World Bank has so far paid out US$58.7 million. For urgent reconstruction of traffic and mine clearing, commenced at the end of 1996 and estimated to finish in mid-2000, US$102 million was approved with the project value estimated at $122.3 million. To date US$5.8 million has been paid out. For the financial and public sectors adjustment project, the World Bank gave a US$95 million credit, of which US$46 million has been paid out. The project period is early 1997 to late 1999. The World Bank is participating in financing projects for water supply and sewage system construction in Istria, restructure of health and health insurance, agricultural restructure, technical assistance, development of capital markets and restoration and protection of coastal forests. US$30 million was approved for a project to stimulate investment, which is yet to be realised. (hina) jn mrb 211325 MET mar 98