The Danish government will provide $57 million in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in 2013, Danish Ambassador John Nielsen said at a press briefing to announce Denmark’s prioritized activities in Vietnam next year.The continued provision of ODA to Vietnam reflects Denmark’s commitment to assist Vietnam in building a green and sustainable economy, Mr. Nielsen noted, adding that Denmark and Vietnam will implement a strategic cooperation agreement on green growth, climate change and energy saving next year.The $57 million sum will include $14 million to save energy and improve efficiency in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam’s construction sector.Besides, South Korea and Denmark agree to assist Vietnam in building a master plan to implement Vietnam’s green economic growth strategy.Denmark will continue to prioritize support for Vietnam’s legal and administrative reform.Denmark is one of the earliest western European countries to provide ODA to Vietnam after the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1971 and is listed among the largest non-refundable ODA providers to the Southeast Asian country. It has provided more than $1 billion in ODA to Vietnam since 1972, focusing on infrastructure construction, poverty reduction, sustainable development, administrative reform, environmental protection, coping with climate change and supporting SMEs. (vietnamplus.vn Dec 7, Thoi Bao Ngan Hang – Banking Times Dec 10 p2, Thoi Bao Kinh Te – Economic Times Dec 10 p2)
