The European Union (EU) is considering raising official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in the next seven years while reducing its ODA planned for other countries, said Ambassador and Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam Franz Jessen. Middle-income countries are not entitled to ODA, but Vietnam is among low-middle-income countries, he noted, adding that EU will annually provide more than EUR300 million in ODA for Vietnam. “In the next three weeks, many EU delegations and 70 European businesses will visit Vietnam,” he said. At present, the EU is the largest grant provider to Vietnam. It is also Vietnam’s second biggest ODA provider, with more than $11 billion in the 1996-2010 period. The EU provided around $1.1 billion for Vietnam in 2012, making up 13.24% of the total amount of ODA Vietnam received from foreign donors. About 32.5% or $324.05 million was in the form of grants. The EU has pledged to provide EUR743 million in ODA for Vietnam in 2013, making it the country’s largest donor. The funding will help Vietnam accelerate reforms in legislation, public finance management and healthcare. (vov.vn Oct 11, Saigon Times Daily Oct 10)
