Indonesia gets $200m for new roads

The World Bank has issued a $200m loan to Indonesia to help improve the country's road network in the eastern island areas.

A World Bank regional official Hatim Hajj said the money was destined to bridge the development gap in 15 provinces, which lag behind the rest of the country in development.

He said the project would help improve employment, health, education and other social services - thereby contributing to a reduction in poverty.

The project will include the regions of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Mulku and Irian Jaya.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service