VietNamNet Bridge – Germany, in its largest development package to Viet Nam yet, has committed nearly 300 million euros (US$420 million) for the 2011-12 period.

The aid was the result of negotiations between the two governments in Bonn, Germany, late last month, German Ambassador to Viet Nam Rolf Schulze announced at a press conference yesterday, Nov 8.

"With this record financial commitment, Germany will become one of the biggest donors in the country's development co-operation," said Schulze.

This year, the two sides are celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations. Among the 27-member European Union, Germany is Viet Nam's largest trade partner. Schulze said two-way trade was expected to top the forecast $5 billion in 2010.

Future co-operation will be focused in the three major areas of vocational training, climate change and energy. Other areas such as public health and urban development will also be on the agenda.

Biodiversity agreement signed in capital

An agreement which aims at improving personnel, institutional, technical, financial and legal conditions to preserve biodiversity in forest ecosystems was also signed yesterday in Ha Noi.

The project was agreed between Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hua Duc Nhi and German Technical Co-operation's Country Director Guenter Riethmacher.

The project's first phase will run for three years with a budget of 3 million euros ($4.1 million).

The project will operate in pilot areas including Ba Be National Park and Na Hang Natural Reserve in the northern provinces of Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang, in Pu Hu and Pu Luong Nature Reserves and Bach Ma National Park in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Thua Thien-Hue.

According to the ambassador, Germany has decided to prioritise these fields because Viet Nam has secured sustained economic growth over recent years and needed improved human sources and higher quality products. Germany would also help implement a comprehensive vocational training programme in the future.

"Viet Nam's strong annual economic growth has given rise to higher demand for energy. That's why we will help Viet Nam improve the efficiency of the national power grid and to make full use of alternative energy sources, namely solar and wind energy," Schulze said.

A survey by the World Bank indicates that with more than 3,000km of coastline, Viet Nam is rich in potential for wind energy.

The 2009 survey reveals that Viet Nam could produce 513,360 megawatts of wind power annually, 200 times more than the output of Southeast Asia's largest power plant, the Son La Hydro-electric Plant in northern Viet Nam.

Next month, the first solar energy project wholly-funded by Germany will be put into operation at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

"Furthermore, Viet Nam is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Therefore, we pledge ourselves to support the country in fighting the effects of climate change and in eliminating its cause."

Specifically, Germany would assist the Vietnamese Government with afforestation, coastal protection, and bio-diversity conservation projects, said Schulze.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News