The Asian Development Bank says the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea will benefit socially and economically after two loans from the bank to improve roads.
The loans, totalling 53 million US dollars, will be used to upgrade and repair 270 kilometres of roads in the Highlands.
The roads there are below par, due to design flaws and lack of maintenance, and road construction is costly in the moutainous, geologically unstable terrain.
Improved road access to major centres will enable the more than 600-thousand Highlanders, who are among the poorest in PNG, to tap into economic and social opportunities.
And to minimise the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS expected with improved access to major centres, the loans will also finance training and awareness campaigns.
