By Salem Al-Methen
DAKAR, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has financed vital transport projects in Senegal, as part of the development efforts in that the country.
This is highly appreciated by the Senegalese people and officials.
The KFAED's support to transport projects in Senegal has significantly contributed to the economic and social developments, and tourism in the West African state, Ibrahima Sal, from the local road authority told KUNA.
In addition, these projects have helped provide new job opportunities in the capital Dakar, as well as other parts of the country.
The funds has been used to upgrade major roads in Dakar with total costs of KD 50 million (about USD 164 million), easing traffic in the capital which is home to four million people, out of the country's population of 14 million people, Sal told KUNA.
No doubt, the improvement in transport will contribute effectively to other development sectors.
Kuwait has pioneering aid to Senegal through the KFAED, Younis Ba, from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Planning, said.
The KFAED-funded road projects in Senegal have led to noticeable decline in traffic accidents, he said, pointing to the huge rise of vehicles on the streets of the capital.
The ministry official noted that bilateral ties were exceptional, obviously reflected through Kuwait's financing of a multitude of infrastructure projects covering transport, agriculture, industry, water and sanitation drainage. Since 1976, the KFAED has offered Senegal 24 loans totaling KD 110 million to finance development projects in the country. (end) skm.msa