Vietnam, WB to Quicken $180M Land Governance Project: Officials

Vietnam and the World Bank (WB) will quicken the implementation of a $180-million project on land governance and database (VLIG project), officials of both sides agreed at a mid-term review conference in Hanoi late last week. The project was launched in March 2017 and will last until 2021, aiming to increase the efficiency and transparency of land management in 31 benefited localities by developing and implementing the Multipurpose Land Information System (MPLS). For the continuous implementation of the project, the Vietnamese government will focus on building shared software and database. Ms. Kathrine Keim, head of the VLIG project, urged for faster enforcement of the project, proposing seeking support from experts in technology solutions and the project’s sustainability. At the conference, leaders of the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of the 31 localities proposed (i) the Ministry of Finance soon issue guidelines on reviewing capital for the project and support the localities in re-lending, (ii) the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the WB simplify the procedures for the implementation of the project until 2021, and prepare to suggest extension of the project until 2023. (Bo Tai Nguyen Moi Truong, monre, Nhan Dan, Vietnam Plus, batdongsan.PetroTimes, baotainguyenmoitruong, baotainguyenmoitruong, video.baotainguyenmoitruong)