Department of Regional Development and Environment 
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This includes a sweeping analysis of the national or regional environmental situation, using modern tools of economic management and development of policies either directly or indirectly associated with environmental management. This area's activities also include studies and development of specific projects in environmental management that concern pollution and reclamation of ecosystems.
In El Salvador, the Environmental Program Feasibility Study was completed. Its chief elements are the following: strengthening of environmental management, preparation of the supporting documentation for the IDB contribution to El Salvador's Environmental Fund and a program for the Upper Basin of the Lempa River. During the study period, the National Environmental Management System (SINAMA) was designed and the plan of operations for obtaining another nonreimbursable technical cooperation request was prepared involving $1.7 million, the purpose being to strengthen the national system. That technical cooperation request was granted by the IDB. As a result of this study, the Salvadoran Government began negotiations with the IDB for a nonreimbursable technical cooperation of $3 million and loan of $32 million to carry out the activities involved in the plan. The Salvadoran Government, through the Salvadoran Preinvestment Plan (FOSEP-IDB), contributed $680,000 toward the project's implementation.
In Uruguay, the project on Introducing the Economic Agenda in Environmental Policy was launched. A proposal was prepared suggesting economic measures and instruments that might help resolve the major environmental problems and the problem of financing for environmental management. With the support of the Central Bank, an initial estimate of the resources and environmental variables at the national level was completed. Work began on preparation of a proposal for a National Environmental Accounting Program.
In the Caribbean, a proposal was prepared for a Project on "Global Climatic Change and Sustainable Development", using resources of the Plurinational Project on Environmental Management in the Coastal Areas of the Caribbean. The proposal was examined at a technical meeting attended by a number of Caribbean countries and subregional organizations, and then sent to all the CARICOM countries for approval. It was submitted to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) seeking financing in the amount of $5 million. The overall objective of the project is to help the Caribbean countries establish strategies and programs to prevent and deal with the effects of global climatic change and to develop comprehensive plans for managing coastal areas and environmentally protecting the coastal and marine systems.
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