Odisha urban infrastructure development fund

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) at a press conference reviewing the agency’s work in Việt Nam in the first half of the 2021 fiscal year. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) will continue its efforts to support Việt Nam's socio-economic development, JICA Chief Representative in Việt Nam, Shimizu Akira, said on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference reviewing the agency’s work in Việt Nam in the first half of the fiscal year 2021 (from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021), Shimizu said that JICA has focused on technical and financial cooperation and consolidating friendship between Việt Nam and Japan. He said that he highly appreciated efforts made by Việt Nam during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the most recent wave since late April. “Japan has been supporting Việt Nam to overcome this difficult time,” he said, adding that Japan has given Việt Nam more than four million doses of …

Continue Reading about JICA to continue supporting Việt Nam’s development: Chief Representative →

Partner Le Nguyen Huy Thuy and legal assistant Ton That Hoang from Indochine Counsel explain incentives for developing social housing in industrial zones As a result, millions of workers from north to south were quarantined for a long period of time in cramped quarters and lacked amenities or faced high rents in guest houses and motel rooms. This increases population density and the burden on social infrastructure. According to Pham Duc Hai, deputy head of the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, before October 1, IZs in Ho Chi Minh City had about 288,000 workers, including more than 70,000 using various stay-at-work models. This number has since fallen to around 45,000 people. The total number of workers in such zones has dropped by over 50 per cent, creating more obstacles for enterprises to meet orders. Therefore, the need for social housing in these IZs is vital. The regulations regarding this are scattered within many documents. …

Continue Reading about The need for social housing in industrial zones is vital →

Industrial facilities in Hanoi have been at risk of causing environmental pollution which have a detrimental effect on people’s health and hinders urban development. Architectural experts believe that old industrial buildings could provide the ideal location to create cultural spaces, giving dilapidated properties a new lease of life. The idea was discussed during an online webinar held in Hanoi on October 21 by architects from Vietnam and Europe alongside building owners and property managers. They hope to share knowledge on the best solutions to turn run-down buildings into cultural spaces the city can be proud of. Factory of Sao Vang Rubber Company in Hanoi's inner district of Thanh Xuan. Photo: Pham Thang The webinar, themed "Current status of industrial facilities spaces in Hanoi and international experiences of industrial heritage", was supported by the association of European Cultural Institutes and Embassies (EUNIC). EUNIC representative Thierry …

Continue Reading about Old industrial buildings expected to be creative spaces in Hanoi →

High-tech application promotion Selected from among nearly 70 applicants who responded to the call for proposals from Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants Round 3 – “Enhancing Digital Transformation”, the four projects will be implemented through well-established partnerships between leading universities in both Australia and Vietnam, together with industry partners and local government agencies. They are expected to deliver practical values to the innovation ecosystem and create lasting socioeconomic impact in Vietnam. Aus4Innovation has had a positive impact on Vietnam's socioeconomic development An augmented reality project is designed to improve access to healthcare in remote areas – an initiative to employ augmented reality technology to improve the effectiveness of remote tele-mentorship between experts in urban centers and less-experienced healthcare staff in remote areas. Ultimately supporting better outcomes for urgent and complex patient cases, the project …

Continue Reading about Aus4Innovation powers digital transformation in Vietnam →

JICA and VPBank have agreed to US$75 million to promote financial access for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — To promote better financial access among female-led small and medium-sized enterprises, a US$75 million loan fund has been agreed upon. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Việt Nam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) signed the deal on Thursday to promote financial inclusiveness. The loan is part of a drive on overseas loans and investments with ASEAN members, announced by the Government of Japan in 2019, entitled “Facility for Accelerating Finance Inclusion in Asia:FAIA”. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for 98.7 per cent of the total number of enterprises in Việt Nam, 45 per cent of the country's gross domestic product and attract 63 per cent of employment. However, their access to finance is limited. This access to finance is a particularly big hindrance for women-led SMEs. In …

Continue Reading about Financial access for female-led businesses boosted with loan →