The French Development Agency is a public development finance institution that has been working to fight poverty and foster economic growth in developing countries and the French Overseas Provinces for seventy years. Since 1994, Vietnam has been one of the main beneficiaries of funding made available by AFD, with about 1.5 billion euros granted for 75 projects (1994 - 2013). These were mainly in urban and rural development, agriculture, micro-finance, urban development, environmental protection and climate change responses.
In terms of agriculture and rural development, AFD helped Vietnam with 25 projects and pledged to fund 415 million dollars. So far, 5 million farming households have received AFD’s assistance for agricultural production and planning 250,000ha of agricultural land.
Re’mi Genevey, AFD’s Director in Vietnam, is presented a flower basket from the representative of
Hanoi Industrial Vocational Training College, one of the vocational training schools
receiving support from AFD. Photo: Van Quyen/VNP
Farmers in Phuoc Son Commune, Tuy Phuoc District, Binh Dinh Province
are provided with loans from AFD to invest in combine harvesters. Photo: File
Agricultural products from the provinces of the Cuu Long River delta
are displayed at an exhibition entitled “20 Years of AFD in Vietnam”. Photo: File
AFD has supported Vietnam to build infrastructures in flood areas in rural areas. Photo: File
AFD has supported Vietnam to modernise the power sector. Photo: File
The Pia-making workshop owned by Ngo Dinh Bang in Soc Trang Province
who was provided with loans from AFD. Photo: File
AFD also supported Vietnam with modernising the electricity sector and help it develop sustainably. Since 2000, AFD has assisted Vietnam’s electricity sector with about 210 million euros, which is to be allocated towards projects on rural electrification, power transmission lines and hydro-power plants.
In view of the climate challenges and the need to sustainably manage environmental issues, AFD has actively assisted Vietnam in building strategies and implementing climate change response projects. It funded 33 projects worth 830 million euros for responding to challenges of climate change and mitigating and avoiding about 2 million tonnes of Carbon dioxide (CO2) per year in transportation and energy. In addition to budget support to the program to combat climate change, other forms of support have developed, for example, to promote renewable energy or energy efficiency.
AFD’s assistance strategy now concentrates on suitable and sustainable urban development; supporting production areas responsible for society and the environment and fighting climate change.
For 20 years, AFD’s projects have not only helped the Vietnamese, particularly the needy in difficult areas improve their lives, but also strengthened the fine relations between Vietnam and France.
Story: Bich Van - Photos: Van Quyen & Files
