VIETNAM

New World Bank Loan OKd: The organization said it has approved an interest-free loan of $96 million for Vietnam to develop its agricultural and rubber industries and increase farmers’ incomes. The 40-year loan is the third to Vietnam by the World Bank since October. The other loans, totaling $228 million, were for highways and education. “The agricultural rehabilitation project follows substantial agricultural reforms begun in 1989, which dismantled farming communes and restored family farming,” the bank said. The money will be used in part to provide small farmers with loans. Only about 10% of the 11 million small farmers in Vietnam now receive formal credit.