Paraguay's public works and communications ministry (MOPC - Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Comunicaciones) is creating a unit which will be responsible for drawing up government policies for the water sector, local paper ABC Color Digital reported.

The new potable water and sewerage services unit is being supported by a US$ 2 million (€ 1.4 million) World Bank loan (component 1 of the Paraguay Water & Sanitation Sector Modernization project) and will operate as part of MOPC. The formation of the unit is part of the law that established the country's sanitation services regulator, which states that MOPC must help the government create public policies and financing for the sanitation sector. The entity is also receiving help from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the UN to draw up a strategic plan for the sector.

Related web sites:

• Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Comunicaciones (MOPC)
• World Bank - Paraguay Water & Sanitation Sector Modernization project

Source: BNamericas [subscription site], 05 May 2009

Tags: latin america & caribbean, policies & legislation, sanitation, water supply