Ha Giang, Nghe An and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces are to benefit from a Swedish-funded programme on environmental improvement and land management.

The programme focuses on preventing, controlling and treating pollution, while providing effective services in land use right registration, land information and planning.

The SEMLA programme began on November 16, after the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Hung Vo, officials of the above three provinces and Development Cooperation Envoy of the Swedish Embassy, Jan-Olov Agrell.

 

The programme aims to raise environmental and land management capability on both national and provincial levels. It focuses on preventing, controlling and treating pollution, while providing effective services in land use right registration, land information and planning.

 

The programme will be implemented initially in Hanoi, Nghe An and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, before spreading to another three provinces.

 

Total funding for this five-year programme (2004-2009) is SEK250mil, including SEK200mil from the Swedish Government, with the remainder to be furnished as local reciprocal capital.

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will act as the project coordinator. Other partners include the Ministry of Industry, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Swedish Chemical Investigation Agency.

 

Consulting contracts have also been signed with Ramboll Natural AB and the Land Information Agency of Western Australia.

 

The programme is considered a major Swedish contribution to the cause of hunger eradication, poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Vietnam.

 

(Source: Nhan Dan)

Stockholm City.

Vietnam Day in Sweden opened at the Stockholm Hilton November 8 with a variety of events including a workshop named “Investment opportunities in Vietnam”.

The opening speech by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan was followed by speeches presenting investment opportunities in Vietnam of both Swedish and Vietnamese officials.

Around 200 Swedish entrepreneurs attended the workshop researching information about the economy and investment opportunities in Vietnam.

A Vietnamese party named “Tastes of Vietnam” prepared by chefs from the Saigontourist was featured, along with a painting exhibition of Vietnamese and Swedish and one of Vietnamese cartoon painter Choe. Her portraits include prominent women, some who have won the Nobel Prize. The paintings were completely sold, with all funds going to talented Vietnamese children.

A Vietnamese fashion show and art performance was organised at the Stockholm Municipal Administration Hall with the Swedish King and Queen in attendance on the evening of opening day.

(Source: Tuoi Tre)

SIDA General Director Maria Norrfalk.

VietNamNet – One of the priorities in Sweden’s development assistance to Vietnam is supporting the fight against corruption, said SIDA General Director on November 4.

“Besides continuing assistance to eradicate hunger and alleviate poverty, the Swedish International Development Agency has turned to more sensitive areas, supporting the Vietnamese Government to fight against corruption,” said SIDA General Director Maria Norrfalk.

According to Ms Norrfalk, administrative reforms, national management and boosting grassroots democracy are significant issues that can help Vietnam develop.

During her three working days in Vietnam , SIDA General Director met with leading officials of ministries and sectors, including Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mai Ai Truc, Justice Minister Uong Chu Luu, Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc and Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien.

Discussions centred on issues associated with Sweden ’s development assistance to Vietnam . Ms Norrfalk also met with Head of the Central Party Committee’s Home Affairs Committee Truong Vinh Trong, a partner with SIDA in a corruption research project.

Viet Lam

VietNamNet – Under the framework of the programme for Vietnam Day in Sweden November 8, an investment workshop will present investment opportunities in Vietnam to Swedish companies.

Vietnamese traditional cuisines will be presented in Sweden.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and Swedish Education-Culture Minister Leif Pagrotsky will co-chair the workshop, said Chairman of the Comvik International Vietnam AB M.A Zaman, the sponsor for this programme.

 

Apart from presentations and reports, a short film about investment and tourism potentials of Vietnam is to be screened at the workshop.

 

“The event is an opportunity for Vietnam to present to Swedish people the changes that make Vietnam more attractive in the eyes of Swedish investors. I hope that many investors will understand Vietnam not attractive for investment but also an ideal tourist site,” Mr Zaman said.

 

Other cultural activities include a Vietnamese food festival with the participation of 500 people, fashion show of designers Ngan An and Sy Hoang, and a special musical performance by top singers including Cam Van, My Linh, Hong Nhung and top saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan.

 

At the Stockholm Assembly Hall, where the Nobel awards ceremonies are held, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh will announce the establishment of the Fund for Talented Vietnamese Children. The funds from an auction of 33 paintings of Vietnamese artists will be contributed to the fund to assist poor children.

 

Vietnam Day in Sweden is a major event that will see 150 Vietnamese nationals travel to Sweden to organise the event.

 

Viet Lam

Assistance to the Vietnamese press will be one of the priorities of Sweden in its cooperative ties with Vietnam.

Vietnam and Sweden have signed an agreement on the implementation of a modern press-training project through to 2007.

Under the agreement, Swedish Government will provide US$4mil to implement the project, which will up skill local journalists toward more modern media.

In its first period from 2002-2004, the project worked on writing skills for more than 1,000 journalists and press workers. The project also assisted some local broadcasting stations with training and equipment.

According to Swedish Secretary of State Lats Danielsson, assistance to the Vietnamese press will be one of the priorities of Sweden in its cooperative ties with Vietnam.

(Source: TBKTVN)