Sweden further Supports Vietnam's Environmental Management, Land Administration

Sweden further Supports Vietnam's Environmental Management, Land Administration

The Vietnam-Sweden Cooperation Programme on Strengthening Environmental Management and Land Administration (SEMLA programme) launched in Hanoi on November 15 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) Dang Hung Vo, the Minister for Development Co-operation at the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi Jan-Olov Agrell and the leaders of the three provinces of Ha Giang, Nghe An and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

The SEMLA programme aims to improve the capacity and competence of the national and provincial environmental administration in Vietnam. It focuses on pollution prevention, control and rehabilitation and provides efficient and equitable services in land registration, land information and land use planning. The programme will initially be implemented in three provinces, including Ha Giang, Nghe An, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Three additional provinces will later be selected for replication of methods and models developed in various technical areas.

The total budget for the SEMLA programme during five years (2004-2009) amounts to 250 million SEK. The Government of Sweden will grant 200 million SEK and the remaining budget will be provided by the Government of Vietnam as counterpart funds.

• T.H