The World Bank said on Tuesday it has approved 1 billion US dollars for Colombia's education.

Axel van Trontsenburg, the World Bank's director for Colombia and Mexico, said that, from the loan, 300 million dollars will go to Colombia Credit and Technical Studies Agency and 600 million to low-income students.

The bank is also willing to study medium-term plans for funding a metro project in the capital city of Bogota, the director said.

On concerns over a looming global recession, the official said Colombia is "in good shape to face the financial market crisis and the risk of a US recession."

But he urged the country's authorities to take measures to combat poverty and unemployment and boost education.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)