The Senate approved four international loan contracts for a total of US$200 million yesterday. Of the loans, US$138 million is to be financed by a Canadian government program and used to finance the construction of an aqueduct for Barahona, Bahoruco and Independencia provinces in the southwest. This program would be implemented by the Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables y Alcantarillados (INAPA). During the approval session, there were claims that the projects had been padded by as much as US$20 million. There is a rush, however, to sign the loans in view of Prime Minister Jean Chr?tien?s upcoming visit, which could be a symbolic start to the construction.
The primary education program, signed with the World Bank, would be implemented by the Ministry of Education.
All four loans must still be approved in the Chamber of Deputies.