Brussels, 23/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 March, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) agreed to set up a joint technical assistance programme to improve the preparation and implementation of infrastructure projects. This recognises the need for national and local infrastructure agencies to be able to prepare and implement high quality and viable projects capable of gaining public and private financial support, and that the lack of well planned and formulated projects is hindering economic development. The €6 million (ZAR 61.2 million) programme, including €3 million from the European Investment Bank and €3 million from DBSA, will primarily target countries across southern and eastern Africa with a specific focus on improving infrastructure project preparation in the transport, energy, water and sanitation, urban and information and communication technology sectors. (O.L./transl.rt)