Ha Noi (VNA) - The Japanese Government will provide 80 billion yen in a preferential loan for Viet Nam to help the country develop socio-technical infrastructure and strengthen its environmental protection.

Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc and Japanese Ambassador Notorio Hattori exchanged diplomatic notes on the issue in Ha Noi on Mar. 31.

The preferential loan will be allocated to six programmes and projects, namely the on-going construction of the East-West Boulevard in Ho Chi Minh City, the building of the Cai Met-Thi Vai international port, the construction of a section of road from Ha Noi to the northern province of Thai Nguyen, the expansion of a thermo-electric power plant in the northern province of Ninh Binh, the treatment of sewage and garbage in the northern port city of Hai Phong and the second phase of the small-and medium-sized enterprise assistance programme.

Also today, Finance Minister Le Thi Bang Tam and the Japanese Bank of International Co-operation Governor Kyosuke Shinozawa will sign in Tokyo six credit agreements on the above-said programmes and projects. - Enditem