A GRANT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY the Asian Development Bank to help develop a strategic plan for the northern region of the Lao PDR.

The US$700,000 grant, approved on 26 December 2002, will help the underdeveloped north write a strategic vision to 2020, and an action plan and indicative finance plan to 2010. The plan aims to develop the area’s natural resources, including hydro power potential.