The International Finance Corp has stepped up its investment in Chinese water companies and will help them seek opportunities at home and abroad, demonstrating its confidence in China's water sector.

Its latest move is providing a $70 million loan to Hong Kong-listed China Everbright International Ltd, a leading investor and operator in environmentally friendly businesses, IFC said on Wednesday in Beijing.

Everbright International will use IFC's financing to expand its environmental water business by building three water plants in China.