DATE: 17 June 2009
Australian water management system helps boost An giang local economy
An Giang — Representatives of the Australian Government and the An Giang Provincial People’s Committee are in An Giang Province today to officially enter into an agreement for the North Vam Nao System Testing Project (Project).The Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) funds this Project to help consolidate the operation of the water management system constructed under the earlier AusAID-funded North Vam Nao Water Control project. The Project also aims to develop the capacity of institutions responsible for operating and maintaining the North Vam Nao Water Control System.
“We are very pleased with the success of the North Vam Nao Water Control Project. It helpls to reduce damage to household dwellings, infrastructure and crops as part of its better water management approach. The Project has made a significant contribution to improving food security and enhancing agricultural productivity for approximately 300,000 residents of the North Vam Nao Island”. Mr Kerry Groves, AusAID Counsellor said at the signing ceremony.
AusAID is contributing A$940,000 over two years to the Project. An Giang Province is also benefiting from the US$125 million support from the Government of Vietnam’s National Target Program for Rural Water and Sanitation, which AusAID funds with other donors.
The Australian Government, through AusAID, provided a total of A$104 million in ODA to Vietnam in 2008-09. Australia's assistance, which aims to strengthen Vietnam’s progress against the Millennium Development Goals, is aligned with Vietnam's Five Year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006-10.