World Bank grants $90 million to Mali

Bamako, Aug 2 (IANS/MAP) The World Bank (WB) has provided Mali with $90 million funding for two strategic projects, the local media reported on Wednesday.

The World Bank granted $70 million for the first project which focuses on improving accessibility in rural areas. The second project, for which Mali received $20 million, relates to the improvement of the national statistical system.

Speaking on Tuesday at the ceremony in Bamako where the financing agreement with the Malian government was signed, the World Bank's Director of Operations in Mali, Soukeyna Kane, stressed on the urgency of the two projects in terms of their importance for the development of the country.

"These two agreements are part of the Bank's continuing support for economic development and poverty reduction efforts in Mali," she said.

"The Rural Accessibility Improvement project as well as the Support to Statistics project are part of the country partnership that organises and defines the lines of collaboration between the World Bank Group and the Government of Mali," Kane said.

--IANS/MAP

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