Germany NGO Increases Operation in Vietnam

The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) of Germany has been granted a license to establish a representative office in Vietnam. The Vietnam Union for Friendship Organizations (VUFO) handed over the license to HSF at a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 12. According to Dr. Hans Zehettmair, Chairman of HSF, the move is expected to promote HSF’s activities in Vietnam. On the occasion, HSF signed a grant agreement with the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organization Affairs. Accordingly, HSF pledges to provide Vietnam with aid worth around 500,000 USD/year. Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of VUFO expressed his hopes that HSF will finance Vietnam further in the future. HSF is an independent, non-governmental foundation, whose mission is to promote democracy, peace and development. It has programs in more than 50 countries worldwide. Since 1988, HSF has cooperated with ministries and agencies of Vietnam through its regional office based in Singapore. It has actively assisted Vietnam in joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and integrating into the world’s economy as well as in harmonizing the law-making and judicial environment. It has also supported Vietnam in reforming the education system and protecting the environment through information exchanges and workshops. (vietnamplus.vn May 12)