AFD supports Luang Prabang World Heritage Town Development

(KPL) The Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) agreed recently to provide its grant aid worth about 24 billion kip ( 2 million euros) to support the third phase of the Urban Development Project in the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.
The main objective of this grant aid is to develop a balance between socio-economic development activities and preservation of the city’s natural, cultural and historical heritage. The project will pursue the renovation of special building and sites in the protected areas, to maintain and promote the development of the physical and intangible heritage of the town.
According to the press release, the project will finance the renovation of traditional and remarkable buildings that can no longer be used because of their poor conditions, such as the two main buildings of the primary schools and temples. The project will also improve drainage, sanitation and electricity networks in the main street and improve some footpaths.
The project will also support capacity building of several local institutions, particularly the former Heritage House, which three months ago became the provincial department of the World Heritage of Luang Prabang, and the Urban Development Authority of Luang Prabang, which will be incorporated as a technical unit of the future town municipality.
A ceremony to sign an agreement was held last week between Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Bountavy Sisouphanthong and Ms. Martha Stein Sochas, Director for Asia of AFD Paris.

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