Authorities of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have proposedthe World Bank provide more credit loans for the locality to implementan ongoing project on upgrading urban infrastructure to adapt to climatechange.

Representatives from the two sides met at a workingsession on October 9 to review the implementation of the project andscrutinise Can Tho’s proposal for additional financial assistance.

Accordingto Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Thi Hong Anh,the project focuses on constructing inner-city anti-flooding works,upgrading urban infrastructure system, increasing environmentalprotection efforts, building resettlement areas and improving the localauthorities’ management capacity.

The seven-year project has atotal estimated investment of around 321.5 million USD, with 250 millionUSD coming from the WB’s International Development Association (IDA).

Once completed in 2020, the project will benefit around 200,000people in the districts of Ninh Kieu, Cai Rang, Binh Thuy, O Mon, ThotNot and Phong Dien. WB officials praised the project, suggestingthat it should focus on developing infrastructure works to help the citybetter respond to flooding, climate change, urbanisation and migrationto urban areas.

They said they will submit Can Tho’s proposals to the WB for approval in the future.

TheWB earlier approved 90.4 million USD loan for Can Tho to implement theproject. Its first phase is underway with a focus on upgradinginfrastructure in low-income residential areas, water supply anddrainage systems, and transport, electricity and lighting works in NinhKieu, Binh Thuy, Cai Rang and O Mon districts.

The project ispart of the Mekong Delta Region Urban Upgrading Project, which aims toimprove living conditions of the urban poor in selected regionalcities.-VNA