Germany: On September 16 Sachsen-Anhalt Transport Minister Dr Karl-Heinz Daehre confirmed a further €3·3m of Land funding towards the 8·5 km extension of the metre-gauge Harz Railway from Gernrode to Quedlinburg. Work on the €6m project officially began on April 18 for completion in mid-2006.
Iran: The Islamic Development Bank has provided a US$35m loan for the Bafgh - Mashhad project and US$34m for railways in the west of the country.
Israel: The Transport and Finance ministries have agreed a 250m shekel annual subsidy for Israel Railways running to 2008.
Sri Lanka: India has agreed to provide financial assistance to reconstruct and modernise track, bridges and signalling infrastructure damaged by the December 2004 tsunami.
