Home »

[bana2166]

IADB agrees to new infrastructure works in Haiti

WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - The Inter-American Development Bank has agreed to build roads, expand drinking water services and improve electricity services in Haiti, a bank statement on Tuesday said.

IADB President Luis Alberto Moreno met with Haitian President Rene Preval and members of his cabinet in Port-au-Prince on Monday where the request for new infrastructure projects was made.

Preval, who was sworn in as president of the Western Hemisphere's poorest country last month, wants to speed up development projects in infrastructure, education and agriculture to create jobs and improve living conditions.

Other requests included basic sanitation in rural areas and a nutrition, health and early education program for infants and young children, the IADB said.

No cost estimates were provided.

The IADB to date has invested $525 million in Haiti for needs ranging from water and sanitation, health, education and job training to flood prevention.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund said it plans to send a mission to Port-au-Prince from June 19 to June 30 to discuss a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with Haitian officials.

IMF projections show Haiti's economy growing 2.5 percent this year and 4.0 percent in 2007 while inflation should slow from 13.1 percent in 2006 to 8.9 percent next year.