The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $35 million loan to help finance a bus rapid transit (BRT) system and other transport innovations to improve traffic flows in Vientiane, the fast growing capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The European Investment Bank, European Union’s Asian Investment Facility, Global Environment Facility (GEF), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), and the private sector will provide critical cofinancing support of about $50 million, subject to approval, with the government providing counterpart funds of $14.5 million. ADB will administer the OFID loan of $15 million and the GEF grant of nearly $2 million. The project will run for 5 years, with an estimated completion date of June 2020.

ITDP, primarily the China office but also with input from the Indonesia office, with ADB support developed the plans and designs that form the basis of the coming ADB project during late 2013 and the first half of 2014. For more information,see the ADB's press releaseannouncing the project's approval by the ADB Board.