Modifications push Pantanal tenders to 2004

Brazil's US$400mn Pantanal waterworks and infrastructure program has undergone some "major" modifications, which has pushed the launch of tenders to next year, a program source told BNamericas. The modifications have to do with the program's financing, said the source, adding that a meeting scheduled for this month with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to discuss the program's execution has been rescheduled for October. The program is split into two phases, the first of which costs some US$165mn and is supported by an US$82.5mn loan from the IDB signed in 2001. The first phase will run for four years and along with waterworks, also includes water resources management; soil and pesticide management; and parkways and roads. The plan aims to promote sustainable development in the Alto Paraguay basin of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states. The environment ministry is the executing agency.