'We still want JBIC loans'
The government insists it still wants to borrow from the Japan Bank for International Coopera-tion (JBIC) to finance Bangkok's mass-transit projects.
Deputy Finance Minister Sommai Phasee yesterday said the Transport Ministry had agreed to delay bidding for the Purple Line from Bang Sue to Bang Yai by a month until September, so the government could meet JBIC's loan procedure. He said the government would invite the bank jointly to set the prequalification for construction companies bidding. The government plans to borrow about Bt84 billion from JBIC to pay for the Purple, Blue and Red lines, but the Japanese government will not be able to okay these loans before the end of August. Sommai said the government would seek assurance from JBIC that it was still keen to lend the money. The bank has told the government it needs the additional time to check the feasibility of the projects. Wichit Chaitrong The Nation
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