The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) today has approved three loans totaling $290 million to support basic services, social development and tourism programs in Argentina. The programs aim to upgrade water and sanitation services in suburbs of Buenos Aires, promote child and youth development, and make use of protected areas to spur tourism.

A $200 million loan will finance improvements in drinking water and sanitation in several Buenos Aires suburbs, benefitting nearly 700,000 people. An $80 million loan will fund tourism activities involving 5,200 enterprises in some of the country’s premier protected areas. And a $10 million loan will support improvements in early childhood and youth development programs.