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Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro J. Rossello is promoting a $7.5 billion construction program aimed at improving the country's image and attracting more tourists and foreign investment. The program will be backed by a mix of private and public money and will focus on, among others, the country's neglected water treatment system and landfills. A world-class terminal in San Juan and sturdier roads are also part of the plan. However, officials will also have to face several political and cultural problems while implementing such a program.

Lebanon is at the beginning of a construction boom but American engineering and construction firms can only watch as a US State Dept ban keeps them from traveling to that strife-torn country. Lebanon started to rebuild its infrastructure in 1993 with large road-building, power-generation and waste-treatment projects. The government expects to spend some $2.4 billion between 1994 and 1997. Observers note that the building activity could last some 10-15 years and cost $30 billion. Lebanon has the financial backing of many international agencies, who have donated $1 billion for infrastructure.