The Japanese government has signed a note on providing JPY202.926 million ($2 billion) in official development assistance (ODA) in its 2012 fiscal year for development projects in Vietnam. A project to improve weak bridges on the National Highway 1 will receive the largest disbursement with JPY24 billion. Meanwhile, the funding will be earmarked for four other transport projects, including the 2nd stage of the project to build the road connecting Nhat Tan bridge and Noi Bai airport, the 3rd stage of the Nhat Tan bridge project, the 3rd stage of the project to improve safety on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City road and the project to build the Hanoi urban railway. Other beneficiaries include the Cai Mep–Thi Vai international port, the O Mon thermo-power plant, the Nghe An irrigation system and the Hanoi-based Yen Xa waste treatment plant. At the signing ceremony on March 22 in Hanoi, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh said that the assistance helps Vietnam improve its capability in a range of fields, especially in building infrastructure and coping with climate change. Vietnam always appreciates ODA from the Japanese government, Mr. Vinh noted, pledging to utilize it properly, efficiently and transparently. For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yasuaki Tanizaki affirmed the Japanese government’s consistent support for Vietnam’s strategy for socio-economic development by offering assistance for projects in various fields that improve the infrastructure system and living standards. (Dau Tu – Investment Mar 25 p4, vov.vn Mar 23, vietnamplus.vn Mar 22)
