The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has launched a Business Partnership Program (DBP), which aims to support sustainable development and poverty reduction in its partner countries, including Vietnam. The program is part of the implementation of Danida’s new policy on “Growth and Employment”, which emphasizes a streamlining of Danish development aid, and an increased focus on private sector support as a way to achieve development goals. In force from Aug 8, 2011, the DBP replaced the Business to Business (B2B) and Innovative Partnership for Development (IPD) programs and will focus on green growth, including renewable energy, effective use of energy through clean technology and environmentally friendly projects in Vietnam, from 2012-2013. The program will support establishment of long-term trade partnerships between enterprises of two sides, to help raise Vietnamese partners’ competitiveness through activities such as business introductions, field surveys, technology transfer, export promotions, and improving working conditions and the surrounding environment. Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, John Nielsen said he believed the DBP program and other DANIDA programs would continue to significantly contribute to poverty reduction in Vietnam. Nielsen also noted that Denmark was one of the leading countries in preparing for climate change, as well as in renewable energy and the effective use of energy, fields where Vietnam had expressed interest in promoting cooperation. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Aug 17 p8, vovnews.vn Aug 16, vietnamplus.vn Aug 16)
