The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has today approved $50US million for the Transport Infrastructure Investment Project in Fiji.
This is the first major World Bank investment in Fiji since 1992.
It is also is the first investment initiated under the new World Bank Group Country Engagement Note for Fiji.
The World Bank says the project will improve the resilience and safety of land and maritime transport infrastructure, including roads, bridges and rural jetties and wharves - all essential to the daily lives of Fijians.
Under the project, $46 US million will be used to rehabilitate, reconstruct and upgrade existing roads, bridges and rural wharves and jetties to more resilient standards.
An additional $4 US million will support project supervision, update the design and construction standards for roads and bridges, and support ongoing initiatives to build safer roads.
The Asian Development Bank will undertake additional work to build government capacity in the transport sector, such as improving planning and project assessment skills for staff in the Fiji Roads Authority and other ministries and agencies.
The project marks the resumption of lending in Fiji by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - the World Bank’s fund for middle‑income and creditworthy low‑income countries - after a 23‑year period.
Its launch resumes full World Bank Group engagement in Fiji.
The Country Engagement Note outlines a two‑year strategy to improve the World Bank Group’s knowledge base on Fiji and provide time to engage the government on a more complete set of development priorities.
It seeks to strengthen the foundation for inclusive, private sector‑led growth and protect vulnerable populations.
The project will be funded through the $50 US million World Bank loan, $100.7 US million from the Asian Development Bank and $16.8 US million from the government of Fiji.
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