Finland Pledges ODA for Vietnam Environment, Science Research Projects

President Tarja Halonen said the Finnish government would continue providing ODA for Vietnam with focuses on green technology, afforestation, clean energy, climate change and science research. Tarja made the commitment at her reception given to President Nguyen Minh Triet in Helsinki May 19, the Vietnamese government said on its website.  Finland committed $49.58 million in ODA to Vietnam for 2010, bringing its total funding to $400 million. At the talks, both presidents agreed to set up a political consultation mechanism at deputy ministerial level between the two ministries of foreign affairs.   Regarding the economic ties, they highlighted trade and investment as the top priorities, targeting to raise the two-way trade and Finland’s investment in Vietnam to $1 billion each in the next years from $230 million and $60 million in 2009, respectively. The host affirmed to encourage Finland’s leading universities and research institutes to boost the joint venture and cooperation with Vietnamese partners. President Triet called on Finnish businesses to invest in the fields of IT, shipbuilding, woodwork, paper, and green technologies in Vietnam. The two sides singed an agreement to increase the funding for Vietnam’s socioeconomic development program for ethnic minorities and mountainous commune or Program 135 and a cooperative agreement between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Finnish Trade Department. Triet will visit the European nation till May 22.