Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and World Bank (WB) country director for Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia Anand Seth signed on March 23 a loan agreement. The WB will grant Bulgaria $114 million aiming to support the state's payment balance within the country's first months of European Union (EU) membership, Bulgarian National Radio reported. The loan is the first part of three payments to be provided for development of policies. They total $450 million. Refund term is 17 years and features a gratis period. The main payment will be returned in monthly installments after the end of the period. Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov signed the second agreement, which targets trade and transport facilitation within Southeastern Europe. Funds will be utilised for the modernisation of Kapitan Andreevo and Kalotina border checkpoints as well as for the modernisation of smaller border inspection points. The partnership with the WB is based on the credit programme and on consultancy and analytical support.