Fresh loans for Burma

Burma has received nearly $1bn worth of credit from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The World Bank granted Burma a $440m credit while the ADB issued £512m, to aid social and economic development in the country.

"Myanmar has come a long way in its economic transformation, undertaking unprecedented reforms to improve people's lives, especially the poor and vulnerable," said Annette Dixon, country director for Myanmar at the World Bank.

"Much work remains to be done. We are committed to helping the government accelerate poverty reduction and build shared prosperity.

"The Bank's engagement, together with the ADB, the Government of Japan and other partners, will help attract investment, spur growth and create jobs," Ms Dixon said.

In more good news for Burma, the Paris Club, an informal group of creditor nations, has cancelled nearly half of the debt it was owed by the country.

A press release on a state-run website said that Norway has granted “an exceptional full outright cancellation on all of its claims amounting to $534m” and Japan agreed to cancel debt worth over $3bn.

The Burmese military is currently locked in combat with ethnic rebels and is accused of committing human rights violations.

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