Attending the signing ceremony were Mr. Hugh Borowman, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Vietnam, representatives from the Office of the President and the Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the People's Committees of the capital city of Hanoi, and the provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh , Hung Yen, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, and Thanh Hoa.

Under this agreement, the total value of Vietnam–Result – Based Rural Water Supply and Sanitation under the National Target Program is USD 230.5 million, of which WB loan is USD 200 million, counterpart fund is USD 10.5 million, and capital contributions from the community is USD 20 million. The program aims at increasing access to improved water supply and sanitation in the Red River Delta through supporting and promoting Vietnam’s National Target Program for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation in the period of 2012 - 2015. The program is expected to provide safe and clean water for 1.7 million people, and improved sanitation for 240 communes in 8 provinces of the Red River Delta.

The program is divided into three main components, including Component 1: Improved water supply conditions; Component 2: Improved sanitation; and Component 3: Enhancing communications capacity, monitoring, evaluation and program management.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Nguyen Van Binh said that clean water and sanitation in rural areas are of significant importance in Vietnam. Over the past time, the Vietnamese Government has implemented the National Target Program for clean water and sanitation in order to gradually improve the water supply, sanitation and reduce environmental pollution, contributing to improving the health and living conditions of people. He said that the signed credit agreement for Vietnam–Result – Based Rural Water Supply and Sanitation under the National Target Program plays an important role in improving the living conditions of people in 8 provinces in the Red River Delta, while contributing to the socio-economic development of Vietnam. He expressed his sincere thanks to the WB for co-operating with the Vietnamese Government to conduct the country's key projects. He also affirmed the determination of the Government, ministries and agencies of Vietnam in the highest concentration of resources to effectively use this loan, at the same time maintain and further promote cooperation with the WB and other donors.

For her part, Ms. Victoria Kwakwa said that WB is very pleased to support the Government’s program of increasing access to improved water supply and sanitation in the Red River Delta, using a results-based approach and moving towards a more programmatic engagement.

In addition, she asserted that this program would also support the strengthening of the institutional system, improve sector planning, monitoring and evaluation of the participating provinces. She said it is the first time the State Audit of Vietnam has conducted an independent evaluation of the results of the program. Therefore, the WB hopes for further cooperation with Vietnamese Government and other relevant agencies in effectively implementing the signed program in particular and supporting portfolio of the WB in general.

Source: The State Bank of Vietnam