MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce a new four-year $236 million program of development assistance for Vietnam.
This assistance will be provided in the period 1998/1999 to 2001/2002, following the completion in June this year of the current four-year aid pledge of $200 million.
This new and increased pledge is tangible evidence of Australia's continuing strong commitment to Vietnam. This year marks our 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations
The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Phan Van Khai, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Nguyen Manh Cam, warmly welcomed the renewal of the pledge during my meetings with them yesterday.
In the past four years, Australia and Vietnam have successfully built up a program of aid projects, focusing on three agreed priority areas - improving health, education and infrastructure.
The additional funding pledged today will maintain support for existing aid projects in these areas. It will also provide scope for Australia and Vietnam to jointly develop some significant new activities which may include assistance to strengthen Vietnam's financial sector and projects to benefit poor people in rural areas.
During the period of the forthcoming pledge, Australia also will work with the Government of Vietnam to identify areas of need where we can provide targeted assistance to help manage the effects of the regional economic crisis.
HANOI
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's office) 02 6277 7500/0411 414 695
Michelle Hardy (AusAID) 02 6206 4968/0417 680 590