The government of South Korea will increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam to $1.2 billion in 2012-2015, compared to $1 billion in 2008-2011, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) said. The MPI was quoted by the Cong An Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh as saying that 70% of the funding will be used for green growth, infrastructure system and human resource development. The priority for three fields is expected to help Vietnam become a modern industrial country in 2020, International Economic Affairs Bureau Chief, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Yoon Taeyong said. Taeyong affirmed that the sectors are very important to help the Southeast Asian nation to gain the goal. South Korea considers Vietnam as a priority partner in terms of ODA, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik earlier said at a recent reception for Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage in Seoul. Hwang-sik pledged that the South Korea government will continue increasing its ODA for Vietnam, with a focus on infrastructure construction and human resource training, emphasizing the government policy of strengthening ties with Vietnam. (http://www.congan.com.vn [1] Apr 12)
