IDB providing funds for water and agricultural projects
Published:Wednesday | December 9, 2009 | 3:53 PM
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing US$70 million in loans to Barbados, according to a report on www.cananews.net.
An IDB statement said that the first loan of US$50 million will be used to improve the management and sustainability of the island’s water resources, while the second loan of US$20 million will be to strengthen agricultural production and food safety standards.
The first loan will support the Barbados Water Authority\'s (BWA) drive to modernise its infrastructure and make its operations more efficient
IDB financing will support the BWA’s efforts to improve its infrastructure, operational efficiency and modernise its institutional framework.
Barbados ranks among the top 15 countries in the world in terms of water scarcity, with current groundwater extraction levels exceeding sustainable yields. As a result, further development, including a proliferation of requests for tourist developments, is constrained by the unavailability of fresh water.
The second loan will help raise agricultural health and food safety standards to international levels and the IDB said this programme will help improve public health and increase the quality of local and imported food products by raising agricultural health and food safety standards to international levels.
It said that most of the funds will be used to finance the upgrading of inspection and quarantine facilities at entry points and construction of at least two laboratories.
“The Bridgetown Port Authority surveillance facility will be relocated, expanded, and upgraded to enhance its plant and animal surveillance and quarantine capabilities. The Grantley Adams International Airport surveillance area will be expanded and fitted with equipment and secure space for examination and quarantine activities,” the IDB added.