The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $500,000 grant to Mongolia to build a new database management system for the country’s road network.

The grant from the Republic of Korea e-Asia and the Knowledge Partnership Fund managed by ADB and the Korean Government will finance the state-of-the-art geographic information system.

The government and road users will be able to access accurate and timely information on road conditions from the new database.

The database is aimed at helping the government to improve its planning and budgeting for road maintenance.

Funding will also be provided to enhance the capacity of the Department of Roads by setting up a data centre and web server as well as for training and other activities.

The Ministry of Roads, Transport, Construction and Urban Development will carry out the project, which is expected to be completed in 2010.