The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$137.9 million in official development assistance to Vietnam in 2011-12, increasing by 8.2 percent above last year’s estimated budget for the country, the Australian Embassy announced Wednesday.
“The increase in aid funding to Vietnam demonstrates Australia’s long-term commitment to assist Vietnam to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development,” Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox said in the announcement.
Australia’s aid program in Vietnam aims to assist the Southeast Asian country achieve its objectives in strengthening human resource development, economic integration and improving infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, which includes water supply and sanitation, climate change and agricultural research, says the Australian Embassy.
“In 2011 12, we will continue to assist Vietnam’s effective integration into the world’s economy and improve access to essential infrastructure services such as water supply and sanitation and transport linkages that connect poor areas to key transport and economic corridors,” the statement said.
The aid program is managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
Australia’s support will include the design of the Cao Lanh Bridge which will deliver significant economic and social benefits by improving transport access for residents in the densely populated Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.
The embassy says Australia will provide 245 scholarships to Vietnam in 2012. These scholarships are designed to promote knowledge, education links and develop the skills of the Vietnamese people so they can contribute to development in Vietnam.
“Today’s announcement reaffirms Australia’s ongoing commitment to scale up its development assistance program to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015 16,” the statement said.
In relates news, Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce is on an official visit to Vietnam from May 8-14.
