Authorities of Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh have given a nod to VND1.9 trillion ($100.28 million) environment protection project in Ha Long city, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The five-year project, having started in mid-April, focuses on upgrading water supply systems, treating wastewater and building environment monitoring and information center in the city, the Lao dong newspaper reported July 7. Ha Long Bay is among Vietnam’s natural heritages recognized by the UNESCO. JICA has pledged to fund JPY18.3 billion ($203.6 million) to the east-west corridor and water environment improvement projects in the southern metropolis. At the Consultative Group Meeting held in Hanoi end-2009, Japan pledged to provide the Southeast Asian country with $1.64 billion in ODA this year.
