Japan’s Hiroshima province and Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam will enhance partnership in the fields of clean water supply and wastewater treatment, according to a Japanese official. Mr. Yoshio Sato from the Hiroshima Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor said his province is willing to share experience to better such projects and urged the two sides to work together on specific projects so that Hiroshima can choose suitable firms to partner with. Accordingly, the Japanese side will focus on building new water plants and upgrading existing facilities in Duy Tien district and Phu Ly city as well as construct a wastewater treatment plant at Dong Van 3 Industrial Park. On the same day, representatives from Swing Corporation, a leading Japanese company specializing in water supply and treatment, visited the areas allocated for the aforesaid projects. Lack of fresh water and untreated wastewater are pressing issues in not only Ha Nam but also other provinces nationwide. Most of sewage is not treated properly, severely harming the environment and human health, experts said. It is estimated that more than 20,000 Vietnamese died of water-borne diseases each year, with half of the deaths blamed on diarrhea, said experts. (Thoi Bao Kinh Te – Econimic Times Sept 6 p2, Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Sept 5)
