Asia-Africa Foundation Extends Aid Worth US$4 Billion

Padang, W Sumatra, Nov 8 (ANTARA) - The Asia-Africa Foundation or AAF has extended US$4 billion in aid for the reconstruction of provincial and regential/municipal administration buildings in West Sumatra, a provincial government spokesperson said. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Partnership Agreement by the officials of the AAF and the West Sumatra provincial administration has marked the aid extention here on Wednesday. The AAF on the occasion was represented by its project director Asril Rusli, the AAF global and financial director Andi Setyo Kusuma, and Governor Irwan Prayitno representing the West Sumatra province. The aid was extended in the form of soft loan and grant. According to Asril Rusli, West Sumatra obtained such aid after its proposal had been approved by the United Nations. In addition, West Sumatra was confirmed to be the most dangerous and prone area to the threat of natural disasters earthquake and tsunami.