VietNamNet Bridge – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on May 27 signed loan agreements with Vietnam to provide 8.880 billion yen ($200 million) for two projects in HCM City, the Saigon East-West Highway and the HCM City Water Environment Improvement projects.
The signing ceremony took place in HCM City with the presence of Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office Motonori Tsuno and Vice Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha.
Due to the rapid economic development and urbanization in HCM City, the natural environment, especially fresh water, has been degrading rapidly and traffic congestion is becoming unbearable. The two projects which have been under implementation since 2000 seek to contribute to solving those problems.
The first loan amounting to14.061 billion yen ($150 million) will be used to complete the Saigon East-West Highway Project. The highway, which was partially opened to public last September, will be completed next year.
The 370n Thu Thiem Tunnel which will connect the city center side and the District 2 side of the highway is being constructed with an immersed tunnel technology, first of its kind in Vietnam and the largest in Southeast Asia.
The second loan worth 4.327 billion yen ($50 million) will be used to complete the HCM City Water Environment Improvement Project. Under this project, the Binh Hung Waste Water Treatment Plant was constructed and started operating in December 2008 with the capacity of 141,000m3/day. This is the largest modern waste water treatment plant in Vietnam. When the sewage pipes, currently under construction, are all completed, the treatment plant will benefit 432,000 people.
JICA has been assisting and will continue to assist the development of urban infrastructure in HCM City with a high priority. In addition to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal which was completed in July 2007, JICA is currently assisting the construction of the North-South Expressway (HCM City-Dau Giay) and HCM City Urban Railway Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Section).
PV
