(MPI Portal) – On Jan 15th 2014, the second Financial Protocol between the two Governments for the project was signed by Mr. Jean Noel Poirier, Ambassador of the Republic of France in Vietnam and Mr. Bui Quang Vinh, The Minister of Planning and Investment.

Attending the signing ceremony, there were Mrs. Vo Thi Hong Anh, Vice Chairwoman of Can Tho People’s Committee, with representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, representatives of the Department of Planning and Investment of Can Tho city and staffs of French Embassy in Vietnam.

Mr. Bui Quang Vinh, Minister of Planning and Investment.  Photo: Duc Trung (MPI Portal)

In opening speech, Minister Bui Quang Vinh affirmed the strong growth in the cooperation between Vietnam and France. France is one of the earliest countries providing official development assistance (ODA) and the leading country among European countries in giving ODA for Vietnam with 2.44 billion Euro as total capital funding for major projects in the fields of urban infrastructure, agricultural and rural development, health... Most of the programs funded by French Government have achieved its objectives, many projects have important signification to socio-economic development of Vietnam such as project of upgrading the railway Yen Vien - Lao Cai, project of VNRED Sat-1A satellite... which actively support the economic  innovation and poverty reduction in Vietnam, positively contributing to strengthening traditional friendship between Vietnam and France.

The Minister appreciated effective cooperation between the French economic authorities and the Ministry of Planning and Investment in the process of implementing the previous grants, as well as actively preparing to sign the protocol intended for this project. He believed this project would succeed, effectively serving medical care needs of people in Can Tho city and surrounding areas, contributing effectively to enhance people's lives. The project is a clear proof of the good relations between France and Vietnam, especially in economic cooperation.

Photo: Duc Trung (MPI Portal)

Earlier, on the occasion of official visit of Vietnam's Prime Minister to France in September 2013, the first Financial Protocol for the project of medical equipment for Can Tho General Hospital was signed in France between Ms. Nicole Bricq, French Minister of Foreign Trade and Mr. Bui Quang Vinh, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries. With this two protocols, French aid spent up to 19.5 million Euro through RPE Fund (reserve fund for emerging countries) to provide medical equipment, the installation and training services for the new General Hospital of Can Tho city.

Thereby, Ambassador Jean Noel Poirier confirmed France's goodwill to cooperate with Vietnamese agencies and hoped that French partners would bring useful partnership for Vietnam. The Ambassador said the medical equipment would be moved to Vietnam in the visit of French Prime Minister next time, contributing to develop Can Tho General Hospital to the model of the Mekong Delta region.

Mr. Jean Noel Poirier, Ambassador of the Republic of France in Vietnam. Photo: Duc Trung (MPI Portal)

In closing the ceremony, Minister Bui Quang Vinh hoped that in the next time, Vietnam would continue to receive valuable support of French Government and people in the provision of ODA to Vietnam. Vietnam desires to have France’s supporting in the areas that France has strength and experience such as monetary finance, transport infrastructure, health care, industrial processing, strengthening  trade capacity, supporting Vietnam in negotiating the Free Trade Agreement with EU, helping Vietnam integrate more deeply and effectively into the global economy. The Minister believed that on the basis of solidly traditional friendship, good relation between France and Vietnam would be growing./.

Nguyen Huong

MPI Portal