UK International Development Secretary Hilary Benn and Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc signed in Hanoi on September 19 a ten-year Development Partnership Arrangement (DPA) under which the UK pledged US $450 million in aid for Vietnam over the next five years.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Secretary Benn described the assistance as long-term commitment of the UK in supporting Vietnam’s poverty reduction efforts and socio-economic development.
“Vietnam is a remarkable development success story, having lifted 30 million people out of poverty in a generation. It has become a significant regional and international economic power on the brink of joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and is on the way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.
The new DPA for the 2006-2015 period will be built on the strong and constructive working relationships between the UK and Vietnam in the past years, setting out the basis of the partnership over the next 10 years.
On this occasion, the British Secretary announced an aid of 7 million USD towards the Vietnamese government’s “Beyond WTO Programme”, saying that the UK will provide technical assistance to maximize the benefit once Vietnam joins the WTO.
During his visit to Vietnam from September 19-20, Secretary Benn will discuss Vietnamese government’s senior officials how the UK could help Vietnam combat corruption. He took this occasion to praise the strong anti-corruption measures introduced by Vietnam.
“Vietnam has made real progress in addressing corruption,” he stressed.
Source: Nhan Dan
