The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$137.9 million in official
development assistance to Vietnam in 2011-12, increasing by 8.2 percent above
last year’s estimated budget for the country.

Party General Secretary cum National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce.

“The increase in aid funding to Vietnam
demonstrates Australia’s
long-term commitment to assist Vietnam
to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development,” Australian Ambassador
to Vietnam Allaster Cox said in a statement released by the Australian Embassy
on May 11.

Australia’s aid program in Vietnam aims to assist the
Southeast Asian country achieve its objectives in strengthening human resource
development, economic integration and improving infrastructure, and environmental
sustainability, which includes water supply and sanitation, climate change and
agricultural research, says the Australian Embassy.

“In 2011-2012, we will continue to assist Vietnam’s
effective integration into the world’s economy and improve access to essential
infrastructure services such as water supply and sanitation and transport
linkages that connect poor areas to key transport and economic corridors,” the
statement said.

The aid program is managed by the Australian Agency for
International Development (AusAID).

Australia’s
support will include the design of the Cao
Lanh Bridge
which will deliver significant economic and social benefits by improving
transport access for residents in the densely populated Mekong Delta region of Vietnam.

The embassy says Australia
will provide 245 scholarships to Vietnam in 2012. These scholarships
are designed to promote knowledge, education links and develop the skills of
the Vietnamese people so they can contribute to development in Vietnam.

“Today’s announcement reaffirms Australia’s ongoing commitment to
scale up its development assistance program to 0.5 per cent of Gross National
Income by 2015 16,” the statement said.

Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce is now on an
official visit to Vietnam
from May 8-14.

PV