devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
Greater Mekong Subregion Highway Expansion Phase 2 Project The proposed project includes: (i) upgrading National Highway (NH) 22 and NH23 sections from their present single 2-lane carriageway to 4-lane carriageways with a median; and (ii) strengthening capacity in road safety management. The project road sections span about 142.422 kilometers (km) traversing the four provinces of Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, and Yasothon of northeastern Thailand covering 10 districts, 29 sub-districts, and 64 villages. Road sections for expansion are 54.514 km for NH22 and 55.057 km for NH23. The works for road safety purpose under all civil works packages have a total length of 32.851 km, as a result of technical adjustments at the time of bid documents finalization and reflected in the contractors' contracts. They involve median works, and improvement of pavement within the existing right-of-way (ROW). Furthermore, three truck rest areas will be established to offer quality driving environment. To enhance the road safety features of the upgrading of the sections, the road design will be subjected to detailed road safety audits before construction commences, during construction, and before final acceptance of the completed roads. The project will also strengthen the government's capacity in road safety management through safety awareness training and hands-on experience in road safety audits.
Subyai Wind Power Project The Subyai Wind Power Project entails the construction of a 90MW wind power plant in Subyai district, Chaiyaphum province. The Project will be implemented under a 5-year automatically-renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under the Small Power Producers (SPP) program. The Project is an extension of the very small 7.5 MW Theppana Wind Power Project, which was financed by the ADB in 2013 to provide a financing structure that can be easily replicated for the much larger 90MW Subyai Wind Power Project.
NONG SAENG NATURAL GAS POWER PROJECT The Project will help (i) provide reliable and least-cost power to fuel economic growth and prevent supply shortfalls; (ii) promote efficient combined cycle technology and baseload alternatives to coal-fired generation; (iii) support public-private partnerships that enhance efficiency in the sector.
Distributed Commercial Solar Power Project The Project involves the development of multiple rooftop solar PV installations on commercial / industrial buildings in Thailand up to an aggregate capacity of 100MW. The power generated by these installations will directly replace and offset electricity from the national grid whose majority is generated from fossil-fuel. The Project will enter into long-term PPAs directly with the host companies and solar PV systems will be installed on host companies? roofs at no upfront cost to the host companies. Due to the economies of scale associated with installing, operating and maintaining solar PV systems, electricity will be sold at a discount (roughly 10-15%) to the price of electricity that would otherwise be purchased from the national grid.
PROVINCIAL SOLAR POWER PROJECT The Project was developed and implemented over two phases (Phase 2A [Chaiyaphum] and Phase 2B [Ayutthaya]) under 4 standard renewable energy PPAs (25 MW for each site) with PEA in Chaiyaphum and Ayutthaya Provinces. The Project has a total capacity of 50 MW installed gross capacity and utilizes multicrystalline photovoltaic technology. Any additional generation from the Project beyond the PPA contract capacity will be distributed to the grid free of charge as an economic benefit for the country. The Project was developed under a separate engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) arrangements for each phase.
Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project (Pink and Yellow Lines) The Thai government approved the implementation of PPP Net Cost scheme for the monorail system of the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects in Bangkok in March 2016, in which the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will be responsible for provision of the land and the right of way whereas the private sector will invest in all civil works, M&E systems, and rolling stocks, including operations & maintenance services. The two projects are feeder lines to diversify the transport modality of the city, and to feed passengers to the main MRT lines, in particular those that connect to Bangkok CBD. The projects will mitigate traffic congestion and associated environmental issues, provide convenient and cost-effective public transportation system, and reduce the government's fiscal burden. The projects are parts of the government's stimulus measures to improve infrastructure which is an essential part of the country's sustainable development.

The MRTA announced invitations for tender of the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects in July 2016. Although the tender process was undertaken separately for the two lines, the BSR Joint Venture (BSR) submitted the most competitive proposal and was selected as the preferred bidder for both lines in December 2016. BSR has entered into the concession agreements with MRTA for the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects, respectively, in June 2017. Under the concession, BSR will obtain the rights to operate the lines, and be entitled to receive farebox revenues, commercial development fees, and parking fees during the concession period.

BSR comprises BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTS Group), the market leader in mass transit business, operating existing Green line, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (Sino-Thai), major construction company, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (Ratchaburi Electricity), one of the largest energy investment company.

The MRT Pink Line will operate between Min Buri district (Bangkok) and Khae Rai (Nonthaburi province), it will connect with existing MRT lines (e.g. Purple Line, Green Line), and new MRT lines (e.g. Red Line, Orange Line). The entire route length is about 34.5 kilometers, and the project components include 30 stations, one depot and stabling yard, and one park & ride building. The MRT Yellow line will operate between Lat Phrao (Bangkok) and Samrong (Sumut Prakarn province), it will connect with existing MRT lines (e.g. Green Line, Airport Rail Link), and new MRT lines (e.g. Blue Line, Orange Line). The entire route length is about 30 km., with 23 stations, one depot, and one park & ride building.

The government will provide subsidies during the first 10 years of the operation when the ridership is most uncertain. To further mitigate the ridership risk, ADB will extend a loan tranche whose door-to-door tenor is longer than the commercial banks to reduce the annual schedule repayment amount during the period following the expiry of the government subsidies.
Eastern Economic Corridor Independent Power Project The Project will be one of the largest power plants in Thailand and will help meet the projected growth and industrial transformation plans under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan. To support the EEC development plan, substantial investment is needed in social and utility services such as schools, hospitals, water, and electricity. In the future, EEC will become a hub of trade and investment, a center for regional transportation and logistics, a significant source for human resources, a tourist attraction, and the modern gateway to ASEAN, China, and India. Demand for electricity is expected to increase in parallel with growth in tourism, commercial, and industrial activities, and from the influx of residents in search of new employment and better quality of life.
Greater Mekong Subregion Highway Expansion Project The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Highway Expansion Project upgrades 178 kilometers (km) of two-lane national highways to four-lane divided highway standard. Highway 12 from Phitsanulok to Lom Sak (105 km) is on the GMS East-West Economic Corridor; and Highway 359 from Phanom Sarakham to Sa Kaeo (73 km) is along the GMS Southern Economic Corridor. 

The Project also assists the Department of Highways (DOH) under the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in preparing an implementation plan for the Strategic Intercity Motorway Network. This includes a detailed and coordinated implementation and financing plan for strategic intercity motorways along three corridors radiating out from Bangkok to a distance of 200-250 km, as well as a detailed analysis of financing alternatives.
Green Loan for Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicle Charging Network The project entails a corporate loan with a 3-year tenor to support the ongoing renewable energy and sustainable transport activities of Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (Energy Absolute). The loan is expected to be the first green loan in Thailand certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative and only the second in Asia. The assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support Thailand's renewable energy sector, increase awareness about green loans, and support the transition from a conventional automotive industry to an electric vehicle industry in Thailand by establishing a comprehensive EVCN across Thailand's major cities. ADB's assistance will also support a leading clean energy and sustainable transport company in Thailand at a time when capital markets are still adjusting to the ongoing disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
BANGCHAK SOLAR POWER PROJECT The project involves construction of 2 solar power generation plants, a smaller 8 MW plant (net capacity with Provincial Electricity Authority offtake) and a larger 30 MW plant (net capacity with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand offtake) in the Ayutthaya Province. The first plant has a gross capacity of 10 MW and will operate under the Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) program and the second plant has a gross capacity 34.5 MW and will operate under the Small Power Producer (SPP) program. The site has approximately 480 rai (76.8 hectares) of relatively flat land. The two plants are being implemented under a 5-year automatically renewable (on a continual basis) Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under the SPP and with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) under the VSPP programs.
Capital Market Development Program (CMDP) The Capital Market Development Program (CMDP) will support the government’s key reform priorities aimed at higher and sustainable investment growth and transformation to a higher income economy, sustained by an increased contribution of the domestic capital market. The reform priorities under the CMDP include efforts to enhance financial sector stability through better coordination between  regulatory oversight agencies and measures to enhance transparency. The CMDP aims to increase capital market efficiency and depth through strengthening the capital market infrastructure (demutualization of the stock exchange), promoting competition in the securities market, developing the domestic bond market, and financial product development. The CMDP also aims to expand the investor base and support Thailand’s efforts to integrate with regional capital markets.
Grid-Parity Rooftop Solar Project The project involves the rollout and operation of multiple solar photovoltaic installations, each with a capacity ranging from 400 kilowatts-peak (kWp) to 10 megawatts-peak (MWp), on rooftops or elsewhere on the premises of commercial and/or industrial buildings owned or leased by host companies in Thailand up to an aggregate capacity of 100 MW and will be installed at no up-front cost to the host companies. The project will enter into long-term power purchase agreements directly with the host companies. Electricity will be sold at a discount to the price of electricity purchased from the fossil fuel-dominated national grid, thereby achieving solar power production at parity with the grid. The project aims to demonstrate the viability of nonsubsidized solar power in Thailand, as it will not be relying on the Thai feed-in tariff (FIT) regime.
Client/Sponsor:
The borrower of the project is Thai-Sunseap Asset Company Limited, a special purpose project company 55% owned by Weng Holding, Sombath Phanichewa and his immediate family members and 45% by Sunseap Group. The Thai-Sunseap Asset Company Limited in turn owns 100% of subprojects up to an aggregate capacity of 100MW.
Weng Holding is a privately held company that is part of an industrial conglomerate (the Weng Group), which is a leading glass industry supplier in Thailand and operates a varied number of additional businesses including manufacturing of glass blocks and chemically-strengthened glass, Nissan automobile dealerships and various real estate and hotel investments throughout Thailand. The Weng Group also holds significant minority shareholdings in numerous companies in Thailand, including Siam City Insurance, Kiarti Thanee Country Club, Thai Public Port, and C on Top (8MW solar farm in Chonburi).
Sunseap Group is a leading developer and largest owner of rooftop solar PV systems in Singapore with more than 163 MWp of contracted capacity. It has won five out of six solar tenders called by the Singapore government to date which amounts to a total capacity of 133 MWp to install PV panels on the roofs of a number of public housing (HDB) and other government properties. The current commissioned capacity is more than 60 MWp (as of 1H 2016) which is scheduled to reach 86 MWp by the end of FY2016 as the rooftop projects are being implemented in phases. Sunseap Group is currently owned by two founders (Frank Phuan and Lawrence Wu) and other minority shareholders including individuals and venture capitals.
FGG AA ToC 1: Improved Corporate Conduct The Fair Green and Global (FGG) alliance is an alliance of six civil society organisations. Both ENDS is the lead agency, and other member organisations are: ActionAid, Clean Clothes Campaign, Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands), SOMO and Transnational Institute.
FGG AA ToC 2: Improved Trade and Investment The Fair Green and Global (FGG) alliance is an alliance of six civil society organisations. Both ENDS is the lead agency, and other member organisations are: ActionAid, Clean Clothes Campaign, Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands), SOMO and Transnational Institute.
FGG AA ToC 3: Improved Financial and Tax Systems The Fair Green and Global (FGG) alliance is an alliance of six civil society organisations. Both ENDS is the lead agency, and other member organisations are: ActionAid, Clean Clothes Campaign, Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands), SOMO and Transnational Institute.
Feasibility Study - Large Scale Energy Storage Systems In Brazil, Colombia, And Mexico, through Quanta Technology, LLC Large Scale Energy Storage Systems in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico Feasibility Study
Reverse Trade Mission - Renewable Energy Grid Integration, through Maritz, LLC Renewable Energy Grid Integration Reverse Trade Mission
Central America Digital Connectivity Workshop Training Series, through Koeppen, Elliot & Associates, Ltd. The Central America Digital Connectivity Workshop Training Series consists of ten online workshops focused on U.S. technologies and best practices in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector that support priority ICT infrastructure projects in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Reverse Trade Mission - Microgrid Infrastructure Opportunities, through The Webster Group Microgrid Infrastructure Opportunities RTM Series Reverse Trade Mission
Technical Assistance - Microgrid Infrastructure Opportunities, through The Webster Group The Microgrid Infrastructure Opportunities Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) Series will consist of two separate and distinct RTMs to introduce delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean to U.S. microgrid technologies and solutions. Implementation of U.S. microgrid technologies will improve grid resilience, reliability, and increase access to electricity throughout the greater Latin America and Caribbean region. The RTMs will offer commercial opportunities for a wide range of U.S. microgrid technologies and equipment.
Reverse Trade Mission - Green Port Technologies, through Meridian International Center Green Port Technologies Reverse Trade Mission
Technical Assistance - Central America Gas Opportunities Program, through Meridian International Center Central America Gas Opportunities Program Technical Symposium
Reverse Trade Mission - Energy Efficiency and Power Generation Technology for Ports and Airports RTM Series, through Trade Center Management Associates LLC Energy Efficiency & Power Generation Tech. for Ports & Airports RTM Series Reverse Trade Mission
Technical Assistance - U.S. LNG Opportunities, through Gas Technology Institute This activity will support U.S. private sector participation in the implementation LNG infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean. The program will help connect U.S. companies that export LNG, and LNG-related equipment and technologies to potential buyers in the region.
Technical Assistance - ICT and Emergency Management Technologies RTM Series, through National US Arab Chamber Of Commerce (Inc) The ICT and Emergency Management Technologies Reverse Trade Mission Series for Argentina and Peru will improve emergency response capabilities in Peru and support ICT modernization in Argentina. This two-visit series will offer commercial opportunities for a wide range of advanced ICT and emergency management technologies from the United States, including wireless communications, servers and storage devices, and broadband equipment.
Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Technologies RTM, through Tuatara Group, LLC The LAC Regional Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Technologies Reverse Trade Mission will familiarize up to twelve Argentine, Chilean and Ecuadorian telecommunications sector representatives with U.S. subsea and land-based fiber optic cable technologies and related infrastructure solutions. The RTM would visit up to three cities over seven business days. The RTM itinerary would include meetings and site visits with U.S. telecommunications companies, hardware deployment firms, regulators and procurement officials.
Reverse Trade Mission - ICT and Emergency Management Technologies RTM Series, through National US Arab Chamber Of Commerce (Inc) ICT and Emergency Management Technologies RTM Series Reverse Trade Mission
Reverse Trade Mission - Flight Safety Standards in Latin America and the Caribbean, through Koeppen, Elliot & Associates, Ltd. Flight Safety Standards in the Latin America and Caribbean Region Reverse Trade Mission
Reverse Trade Mission - Intelligent Transportation System Opportunities Reverse Trade Mission Series, through Koeppen, Elliot & Associates, Ltd. Intelligent Transportation System Opportunities RTM Series Reverse Trade Mission
Technical Symposium - Latin America and Caribbean Airport Resiliency, through American Association of Airport Executives Latin America and Caribbean Airport Resiliency Technical Symposium
Reverse Trade Mission - Energy Efficiency and Power Generation Technologies for RLAC W&WW Utilities, through Maritz, LLC Energy Efficiency and Power Generation Technologies for RLAC W&WW Utilities Reverse Trade Mission
Reverse Trade Mission - Cybersecurity and Access Control for Utilities, through Koeppen, Elliot & Associates, Ltd. Cybersecurity and Access Control for Utilities Reverse Trade Mission
Technical Assistance - U.S. Liquified Natural Gas Opportunities Technical Symposium, through Gas Technology Institute U.S. LNG Opportunities Technical Symposium
Grant to UNICEF for Natural and Technological Risks in Laos Grant to UNICEF for Natural and Technological Risks in Laos
Strengthen Community Resilience Strengthen community resilience through community based disaster risk reduction and water, sanitation and hygiene service interventions
USAID Learn to Read (Laos):  Learn to Read is a five-year activity that improves classroom instruction by providing teaching and learning materials; enhancing teacher competencies through training and classroom support; and strengthening community engagement in helping children learn to read. These activities aim to  improve the quality of basic education in Laos, with a special focus on children who do not speak Lao at home, and children with disabilities. This activity supports the development of literacy for children from pre-primary to second grade by strengthening the literacy environment in school and at home through targeted engagement of community members. In addition to teacher training, interventions include face-to-face home visits by literacy volunteers and Village Education Development Committees, reading festivals, and family literacy days at schools. USAID and its implementing partners Save the Children, Room to Read, and Humanity & Inclusion, work with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and other development partners to determine effective strategies that enhance commitment to literacy and strengthen the school, home and community literacy environment.A stronger basic education system will advance Laos' national development objectives and USG goals in the basic education sector. In the long term, improved education outcomes will create more opportunities for Lao children and youth as they move toward adulthood, giving Laos' overwhelmingly young population the tools they need to help their country achieve greater economic independence.  Learn to Read will also help Laos recover from the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the educational system: school closures, budget cuts, and challenges related to adapting to online learning methods. Objectives for Laos: The USAID Learn to Read activity aims to: 1) Improves the Lao reading ability of students in pre-primary and early primary education; 2) Improves classroom instruction; 3) Enhances teacher competencies in applying effective classroom teaching and learning activities and their access to resources to meet the needs of targeted children; 4) Strengthens community engagement and the development of conducive learning environments for improved reading skills, particularly for children who do not speak Lao and children with disabilities.