H.E. Mr. Abdelaziz KHELEF, Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) arrived today Tuesday the 10th of November 2009, at Brazzaville capital of the Republic of Congo, in response to an invitation extended by the Government of Congo. The visit is a part of a regional tour that took the Director General to Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda and will take him to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 04 November until 17 November 2009.

During his sojourn in Brazzaville, the Director General will be received by H.E. the President of the Republic and the Minister of Finance and Budget as well as high-ranking officials.

The visit will focus on the mutual cooperation between Congo and BADEA, with the objective of exploring the various means of promoting and developing it.

 H.E. Mr. Abdelaziz KHELEF, Director General will avail himself the opportunity to sign a loan agreement of US $ 10 million to participate in financing the project of Supply of Drinking Water to “Pointe Noire” town-Phase I.

The project aims at providing water to the project area until year 2039 and contributes to the control of water born diseases, which will in turn improve the health condition of the people, and fight poverty. The project will also encourage some economic activities, which will help to increase income families.   

It is worth-mentioning that, by the end of September 2009, BADEA’s total assistance to Congo reached US $ 40.740 million for participating in financing 9 development projects.