AUSTRALIA: New funding announced for Mekong River Basin - 27/09/2007

The Australian Government has announced new funding for the Mekong River Basin, home to many of Asia's poorest people. An extra $US140 million is to go to new roads, rural electricity and water management programs.


SNOWDON: The Mekong region is a priority area for Australia's aid program.

The Government has announced a new five year strategy with funding of 140 million US dollars over four years to help promote economic development and cooperation.

The Mekong River - one of the world's largest, provides the livelihoods for 60 million people as it passes through six countries.

Four of those - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao - are members of the donor funded Mekong River Commission. Five million dollars of the aid package will go to the commission.

The Commission aims to foster cooperation and sustainable, pro-poor and environmentally responsible