Vietnam PM Oks Legal Framework for WB-funded Urban Water Supply Project

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a legal framework for an urban water supply and wastewater project worth $200 million funded by the World Bank (WB). The project is aimed to upgrade water supply and wastewater treatment systems in 11 provinces of Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Lam Dong, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Kien Giang. The Ministry of Construction has been assigned to supervise the implementation of the legal framework. Earlier on June 28, the PM approved the outcomes of negotiations on the project and entrusted the State Bank of Vietnam to sign a credit agreement and related documents with representatives of the WB. The global bank, which is among the biggest donors for Vietnam, has pledged around $2.6 billion in official development assistance for Vietnam this year and also announced to finance over $6 billion for the country in the 2011-2013 fiscal years. (baodientu.chinhphu.vn Sept 28)