The entire project covering the construction of a container terminal and a bulk cargo terminal is worth between 60 and 75 million dollars.
The USD1.75 million advance payment will be used for the preparation of the necessary documentation.
Minister Suker said that the loan would be granted under the currently most favourable terms with a grace period of five years, a 15-year repayment period and at an interest rate of 2.3 percent.
World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia Shigeo Katsu, who attended today's ceremony in Ploce, said that the Bank set the development of regions as one of its key tasks, and voiced hope that this project would manage to integrate needs for growth and sustainable development.
According to Katsu, the project is important from the point of view of regional cooperation.
The biggest southern Croatian seaport is mainly used as a gateway by neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina for the export of its goods and import of raw materials.
Present at today's ceremony in Ploce were Croatian Sea and Transport Minister Bozidar Klameta, members of Parliament and local officials.