A$75 mn in Loan Guarantee for Clean Energy Projects

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and RBL Bank have announced a new loan portfolio guarantee that will facilitate up to $75 mn for lending to small and medium enterprises operating in off-grid, solar rooftops, and energy-efficiency sectors. This guarantee, the first-of-its-kind between USAID and an Indian private sector bank, will support innovative solutions and business models to improve access to clean energy sources for electricity. Contact: USAID. Website: www.usaid.govdvance approval to long-term projects The Urban Development Ministry has started approving investments in water supply, sewerage networks, etc, for the next three financial years under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). An inter-ministerial apex committee of AMRUT has approved investments of Rs 5,815 crore during 2017-20 in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar and Tripura. Contact: Ministry of Urban Development. Tel: 011-2306 3495. Website: www.moud.gov.in