Ecuador. Approved July 25: International Bank for Reconstructionand Development (IBRD) loan of $21 million for an agriculturalresearch project to introduce a competitive research grant program,develop exchange partnerships with international institutionsand strengthen the national agricultural research institute. Theloan will finance research sub-projects on an open competitivebasis, with variable grant support, as well as the formation ofresearch and education exchange partnerships, graduate teachingand research programs and high priority short-term training. Formore information, contact Mario del Carril, 1-202/473-6189, fax522-3698, e-mail [email protected].

Jamaica. Approved July 25: IBRD loan of $28.5 million for a studentloan project to restructure the student loan bureau to focus onloan approval and improved student loan targeting. The projectwill fund the expansion of the student loan program to meet thedemand of the poorest students. A revolving loan scheme will usecommercial banks to disburse and collect loan payments, with thegovernment guaranteeing loans only to students without sufficientcollateral or employment following graduation. A grant-in-aidprogram will be established to supplement loans for the pooreststudents and a public awareness campaign will be carried out toinform the public of the policy changes. For more information,call Mario del Carril, 1-202/473-6189, fax 522-3698, e-mail [email protected].

Jordan. Approved July 25: IBRD loan of $20 million to improvethe efficiency of the housing and housing finance sectors, promoteprivate sector development in housing, and reduce the government'srole in both sectors. The project will focus primarily on housingfinance by establishing the secondary mortgage facility and byimplementing institutional and regulatory reforms in the realestate sector. The loan will finance a line of credit to the mortgagefacility, technical assistance and training. For more information,contact Jeannie Yamine, 1-202/473-2318, fax 522-0003, e-mail [email protected].

Kazakstan. Approved July 30: IBRD loan of $15.8 million to modernizethe treasury. The project will be carried out in three parts:the design of a computerized treasury system, including procedures,manuals, software, hardware and training; the computerizationof a pilot system, based on the work carried out in the firstcomponent, to test and implement the functionality of the entiresystem; and full implementation of the computerized system, followedby a government-wide training program for operating and maintainingthe system. For more information, contact Jan Pakulski, 1-202/473-1797,fax 522-3362, e-mail [email protected].

Peru. Approved July 25: IBRD loan of $85 million for an irrigationsubsector project in five parts: rehabilitation of about 25 irrigationschemes, covering an area of over 200,000 hectares and reachingover 50,000 households; institutional development, training andstrengthening of water users' organizations and their management;an incentive program for technology improvements, including trainingprograms; project administration and monitoring; and an emergencydam safety program for coastal residents. For more information,contact Mario del Carril, 1-202/473-6189, fax 522-3698, [email protected].

Slovenia. Approved July 25: IBRD loan of $49.3 million, to supportbanking reforms and to provide long-term financing, through threeborrowing banks, for private investments, including licenses,other technology transfers and working capital. The three borrowerstogether account for nearly half the country's banking assetsand loan portfolio, and were selected on the basis of their reach,financial condition and institutional strength. All three--NLBdd,SKB Banka dd and Banka Celje dd--have been subject to extendeddiagnostic audits and have had their good standing confirmed bythe central bank. For more information, contact Jan Pakulski,1-202/473-1797, fax 522-3362, e-mail [email protected].

Tunisia. Approved July 25: IBRD economic competitiveness adjustmentloan of $75 million to support reforms aimed at improving internationalcompetitiveness. The loan is the first of a series of operationsto upgrade the private sector and to prepare it for the implementationof the 1995 Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. Thepolicy measures concern a macroeconomic and fiscal framework,privatization, improved regulations and administration, labormarket flexibility and implementation of the free trade agreement.For more information, contact Jeannie Yamine, 1-202/473-2318,fax 522-0003, e-mail [email protected].