Khanh Hoa province reviews 945B VND drought prevention project

On June 17, Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, chaired a working session with a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD). Also attending were leaders of relevant departments and branches to review, remove difficulties and accelerate the progress of the Climate Change Resilient Drought, Erosion and Flood Prevention Project in Khanh Hoa province.

This is a key agricultural and irrigation infrastructure project implemented in the communes of Anh Dung, My Son and Phuoc Hau with a total investment of over 945 billion VND. Funding is mobilized from multiple channels, including AFD loans, non-refundable aid from the European Union (EU), the Water and Natural Resources Management Fund, and counterpart capital from the provincial budget.

The project's core goal is to develop the capacity for integrated water resources management, effectively use and maximize existing water resources and flexibly regulate water sources between basins. Thereby, the project will strengthen the resilience and recovery capacity of southern localities against the unpredictable fluctuations of climate change, especially during prolonged droughts. The project implementation period is set for 2024-2027.

Previously, on June 16, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Construction Investment Project Management Board chaired and coordinated with relevant agencies to lead the AFD delegation on a direct field survey at the Song Than dam and the strategic water transfer pipeline connecting the Song Than dam to the Lanh Ra reservoir.

At the meeting, the parties frankly exchanged and analyzed the status of the bidding procedures against the overall schedule and AFD's strict requirements. The conference also reviewed the technical assistance implementation method, assessed feasibility, identified risks of schedule delays and prepared procedures for the first capital withdrawal.

In particular, to maximize the efficiency of investment capital, Khanh Hoa province proposed completing the entire water conveyance system to the endpoint and expanding branch pipelines to provide direct water supply for farmers' agricultural production.

Concluding the working session, Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairman Trinh Minh Hoang emphasized the strategic importance of this irrigation and water supply project. The ultimate goal is to thoroughly resolve the shortage of domestic and irrigation water across the entire southern area, an exceptionally drought-prone epicenter of the province.

With extensive experience in managing and implementing projects using international official development assistance (ODA) loans, Khanh Hoa's leaders firmly believe the project will soon be completed and put into practical, effective operation.

In the coming period, the province will continue to closely direct units and coordinate closely with central ministries and branches to develop the most favorable financing mechanism. Khanh Hoa also commits to actively participating in policy dialogue to ensure sustainable agricultural development and effective management of local water resources.

$ 1 = VND 26,440 - Source: Vietcombank.