In Japan's fiscal year from April 2023 to March 2024, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) signed loans totaling 102.2 billion yen (equivalent to 678 million USD) (excluding "Private Sector Investment Finance"), the highest level in the past 6 years since 2017.

Technical cooperation reached 5.2 billion yen (equivalent to 35 million USD), the largest scale in the world in the same fiscal year. Non-refundable aid reached 1.1 billion yen (equivalent to 7.5 million USD) in committed capital.

1.Mr. Sugano speaks at the press conference.jpg
Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office, Mr. Sugano Yuichi speaks at the press conference. Photo: JICA

At the mid-term press conference for fiscal year 2024 today (October 17), Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office Sugano Yuichi emphasized that Vietnam is the leading country among the countries that JICA is implementing cooperation with, sending 45 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, 36 business investment projects of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of sustainable development (SDGs), 24 grassroots technical cooperation projects (Development Partnership Program).

In addition, Vietnam is the second country in the world with 9 projects under JICA's "Investment Financing for the Private Sector" program.

Three pillars of cooperation

According to Mr. Sugano Yuichi, in Vietnam, JICA is currently prioritizing 3 pillars of cooperation including:

Regarding “high-quality growth”, the Binh Hung wastewater treatment plant in Ho Chi Minh City, a project using loan capital, held its inauguration ceremony in August. JICA is also implementing the construction of the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant, the largest in Hanoi, which is expected to be completed in the near future. The much-anticipated Metro Line 1 project in Ho Chi Minh City has also begun trial operations.

Regarding “support for vulnerable groups”, JICA has promptly provided emergency aid including water purifiers and plastic sheets to 2,000 households in Yen Bai province. In addition, within the framework of the technical cooperation project to enhance capacity to reduce flash flood and landslide risks in the northern region, the Sabo dam to help reduce landslide risks has been under construction since September in Son La province.

In the agricultural sector, the inauguration ceremony of the Northern Nghe An Irrigation System Restoration and Upgrade Project - a loan-funded project, was held in March 2024. The increase in irrigated area will help improve the livelihoods of rural people.

In the field of medical and health care, JICA is also preparing to implement a new technical cooperation project to strengthen the prevention of viral hepatitis - a common infectious disease in Vietnam and is implementing the project "Upgrading medical equipment at K Hospital" to contribute to meeting the increasing demand for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

With the pillar of “Human Resource Development”, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan University. The school currently has 1,110 students, including graduate students. In addition, under the JICA Chair Program to promote Japanese studies, JICA is collaborating with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) to compile a monograph for students to provide an overview of the history of Japan-Vietnam relations, which is expected to be published soon.

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