Cuenca Cantonal Council awards prize to CAF

(Cuenca, April 12, 2007).- On April 12, in the Salon of the Ciudad del Ilustre Municipio de Cuenca, a solemn session was held to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the city’s foundation. During the ceremony, prizes were presented and agreements signed with organizations that have contributed to the development of Ecuador’s third most important city.

The Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca award was presented to CAF for its role as the focal point of the city’s sustainable development through funding of the execution of plans and projects of social interest. The multilateral financial organization has financed the road and urban development program of Cuenca municipality with the aim of improving environmental quality and the urban and rural road system which is fundamental for promoting the orderly development of the city.

CAF Infrastructure Vice President Antonio Juan Sosa said that the objective of the Corporation's programs in Cuenca was to extend coverage of the road system by strengthening citizen participation as a means of finding solutions to the problems that each barrio considers priority in improving the road system in its sector. The program ensures that the road improvements reach all barrios by applying criteria of justice and social equity. In the operational aspect, the Barrios for Better Living Project aims to make substantial changes to strengthen the operating capacity of Cuenca municipality.