The French Development Agency in Vietnam works with Son La province

The Urban Infrastructure Improvement Project for Climate Change Adaptation in Son La city uses Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds from the French Development Agency in Vietnam. The project proposal was approved by the Prime Minister in Official Letter No. 221/TTG-QHQT dated March 8, 2022, and the Provincial People's Council approved the investment orientation in Resolution No. 157/NQ-HĐND dated January 10, 2023. The total investment is 970 billion Vietnamese dong, equivalent to 35.2 million EUR, with a implementation period of 4 years from the signing of the Agreement. The project's investment objectives aim to address overall issues related to flood prevention, urban drainage, environmental improvement, air quality, wastewater treatment, and protection of Son La city's water environment, aiming to proactively respond to climate change and lay the groundwork for future rapid, sustainable urban development. The project is under the management of the Son La Provincial People's Committee, with the Provincial ODA Project Management Board assigned as the investor. It is implemented in Son La city and Muong Bu commune, Muong La district, comprising 05 sub-component projects.

The Director of the French Development Agency in Vietnam made a statement during the working session

Up to now, the project investor has organized the implementation of investment preparation tasks according to regulations, including: organizing the preparation, appraisal, and approval of investment preparation estimates; selecting contractors and managing consultancy contracts; coordinating with sponsors and relevant agencies to prepare the project. However, after reviewing and comprehensively studying the technical research report documents, to ensure compliance with the main results, the planned total investment, capital structure,... it is necessary to adjust the Project Proposal and propose the Investment policy as the basis for implementing the next steps of the project.

During the working session, the representative of the French Development Agency in Vietnam exchanged views and proposed that the province continue to research, balance, and adjust the appropriate project scale. They presented reasonable technical solutions as a basis for adjusting the project to promptly proceed with its implementation.

Mr Le Hong Minh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended the meeting

Speaking at the working session, Vice Chairman of the Son La Provincial People's Committee suggested that AFD continue to coordinate and exchange with central ministries and sectors to help expedite the completion of project preparation tasks in Son La. This includes organizing adjustments to the Project Proposal and investment policy as a basis for promptly approving the feasibility study, signing agreements, and organizing the implementation of the next steps of the project in accordance with the plan. Comrade instructed the Provincial ODA Project Management Board (Project Investor) to closely coordinate with AFD, provide recommendations to the Provincial People's Committee to propose to relevant ministries and departments to accelerate the project preparation progress, prepare and submit project proposal adjustments, adjust investment policies, report on feasibility studies, and promptly sign agreements and international agreements.

Hong Le

Translated by Thao Huyen Vu