The World Bank (WB) will provide loans of US$150 million to support 10 environmental protection projects in Shandong Province.

The projects, involving among others waste water treatment, garbage disposal, carbon fund, will be carried out in cities such as Zibo, Weifang, Heze and Gaomi in the province, a source with the provincial finance department said.

The projects have passed a WB assessment, the source said.

The term of the WB loans is 20 years, including five years of grace period, according to the source. The 10 projects will cost a total of US$298 million.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)