Albania receives World Bank loan

Published: 16 December 2004 y., Thursday
Albania received a loan of US$10 million (Aˆ7.5 million) from the World Bank to help improve the country's education, health and social services, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. The loan was the last in a series of three since Albania launched in 2001 its three-year National Strategy for Social and Economic Development, focused on much-needed structural reforms. The third loan "will continue to support the NSSED by building on the progress made thus far and by further consolidating and strengthening the reform program," the World Bank said. Albania must pay back the loan in 20 years, with a 10-year grace period. Albania's 3.1 million people are among Europe's poorest, with an estimated 25 percent living below the poverty line, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization. Nearly half of Albanians live on US$2 (Aˆ1.48) or less a day. The World Bank has been one of the key funders of post-communist Albania with loans totaling approximately US$768 million (Aˆ572 million).
Šaltinis: southeasteurope.org
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Bumpy future road for Europe's car makers discussed

The future of Europe's troubled car market and 12 million jobs was under scrutiny Tuesday. more »

Gordon Brown: EU must take the lead in reforming global financial institutions

Europe must take the lead in finding solutions to the global crisis at next week's G20 summit, British prime minister Gordon Brown told MEPs in a speech in Strasbourg on Tuesday that was warmly welcomed by leaders of the main political groups. more »

How much should we tame financial markets?

The US and Europe are in the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. With unemployment rising dramatically and businesses failing, fear is spreading. more »

Food prices debated amid concerns over supermarket domination

Monday evening sees MEPs consider the emotive subject of food prices in Europe. more »

Wincor Nixdorf share price drops, company announces production cuts

Shares in Wincor Nixdorf AG have fallen 3.5 percent and the ATM company says it is preparing to cut production hours. more »

EU leaders confident and determined in face of economic crisis

Leaders agreed to use €5bn in unspent EU funds to upgrade energy and internet connections. And they raised the ceiling on EU aid to countries having difficulties. more »

Parliament backs “polluter pays” principle for lorry charges

Charges on heavy-goods vehicles should be based in part on the air and noise pollution they produce, according to legislation approved by the European Parliament today. more »

EU officials down on the farm

EU agriculture officials are about to get a reality check. Starting next year, their on-the-job training will include a stint on a working farm. more »

Sacred cows to the slaughter? Are the rules changing in the European economy?

Privatisation, balanced budgets, low public deficits, and free trade have long been the mantra for prudent economic management. more »

Where should we invest our money?

Building roads and pipelines, ensuring food safety, improving education, fighting discrimination and boosting jobs are all funded from the EU budget. more »