During the first quarter of the 1999 consultancy, the rubber processing adviser continued his activities with the supervision of the construction of the two remaining factories: the Suoi Rat/Phu Rieng and the Dong Phu factory. The civil works contractor of the Suoi Rat and Dong Phu factory, Tracodi, has completed 75% of all civil works in March. The installation of equipment by Kwan Cheong/Rubber Mechanical Engineering for Dong Phu and Sphere Corporation for Suoi Rat, started in March. For both factory, the installation is expected to be completed in May. The commissioning will depend on the performance of the civil work contractor with the installation of the electrical and water supply.The contracts for the construction of three effluent treatment plants were signed in February 1999. The construction of the treatment plants for the Ben Cui/Tay Ninh and Cam My/Dong Nai factories, has started in March. For the Phuoc Binh/Phu Rieng factory, the construction will start in April. All works are expected to be completed before the end of June. For the training on effluent control, GRC/PCU has received a NOL from the World Bank to select the Centre de Formation des Métiers de l'Eau et de I'Environnement" (CNEE). The training on rubber effluent control is scheduled from April 18th to 24th.