Japan gives grant for strengthening road sector capacity

VIENTIANE, 24 JUNE (KPL) - ) The Government of Japan is providing US$ 1 million to the Government of the Lao PDR through the World Bank supported Road Sector Project.
According to a press release issued yesterday by the World Bank Lao Office, this technical assistance grant will support the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Provincial Departments of Public Works and Transport to strengthen sector strategic management, local road management, country system for environmental safeguard, fiduciary management, and internal controls.
The Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR Mr. Masaaki Miyashita and the Co-Chair of the Infrastructure Sector Working Group highlighted the importance of road connectivity for a landlocked country like the Lao PDR. He added that this grant “will assist the Government agencies to strengthen their human resources capacity to strategically manage the road infrastructure network in the country”.
The Road Sector Project was approved by the World Bank in March 2010. This project aims to improve road services, rehabilitate the roads damaged by typhoon Ketsana, and establish a contingency fund for quick disaster response in the road sector.
The World Bank Country Manager to the Lao PDR, Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan “expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for providing this technical assistance that will strengthen the governance of the road sector in the medium-term”.