The French Development Agency (AFD) has pledged over EUR1.5 billion for development projects in Vietnam over the last 20 years, said AFD Country Director Rémi Genevey. The AFD has financed 75 projects in Vietnam, mainly in sustainable urban development, production support and climate change, Mr. Genevey noted. In 2013, the agency committed EUR146 million in soft loans for Vietnam, of which EUR87 million has been disbursed. The AFD will continue providing at least EUR100 million per year in loans for Vietnam in the next years. In its 2013-2015 cooperation strategy, AFD assistance will focus on shifting Vietnam’s growth model in a fair and sustainable manner, he said. AFD has pledged to provide more loans to state-run companies even though the Vietnamese government is not required to provide guarantee for the loans (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Oct 31 p8)
