TIRANA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Albania on Tuesday launched a major road connection program with a 50-million-U.S.-dollar loan from the World Bank, aiming to boost tourism, agriculture and economy development, local media reported.
The Regional and Local Roads Link Program is expected to deliver positive results in social inclusion of local communities, said World Bank Director in Albania Maryam Salim.
According to Salim, more than 40 percent of the population in these areas and women will see increases in income, consumption, a better and safer access to health and education services as well as employment opportunities.
"This is an important project that will contribute to improving access to selected centers of agriculture and tourism and the capacity of municipalities to manage their road assets," Salim said.
Salim also said the project will strengthen the management of public investment in the transport sector and will improve the country's capacity to prioritize investments based on clear and transparent criteria.
Salim added that the project will support flexible climate rehabilitation and improve safety at about 55 km of regional roads, in three to four municipalities.
