Government To Invest USD 3.9 bln State Industries Vice Prime Minister

Vice Prime Minister Yurii Kluiev said yesterday that the government was currently in talks with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank about attracting roughly USD 3.9 bln in loans to facilitate investment programs developed by several state agencies. According to Kluiev the Industial Policy, Energy, and Transport Ministers have all submitted investment programs which the money would be directed towards. Kluev added that an additional USD 416 mln from the budget would be directed towards these programs. Details of the programs were not given. The Vice Prime Minister said he expects to receive these funds in the second half of 2007.