The dual benefits of ODA funding in Ha Tinh

In addition to providing capital, ODA projects in Ha Tinh also transfer knowledge and management experience from advanced countries around the world .

In recent years, Ha Tinh province has prioritized ODA funding for large-scale projects with high spillover effects and inter-regional significance. Completed projects have yielded positive results and widespread impact, contributing to improving people's lives, gradually completing technical infrastructure for socio -economic development, enhancing competitiveness, and attracting investment to the province.

Images of some projects before and after investment as part of the emergency disaster relief project in several central provinces, including Ha Tinh .

For example, the "Emergency Disaster Relief Project in Several Central Provinces - Ha Tinh Province Sub-project" was implemented in 22 communes/wards/towns across 11 districts/cities/townships in Ha Tinh province. This project used World Bank (WB) funding with a total investment of over 20 million USD (of which WB funding was 18 million USD). Ha Tinh province received 100% of the funding from the central government.

The project was implemented from 2017 and completed in 2021. Mr. Le Quang Thong, an official from the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Investment and Construction Project Management Board, said: “The project ensured progress and achieved good results compared to the set framework. At the end of the project, 8 bridges were renovated, 1.2 km of canals were reconstructed, 14.12 km of embankments and 28.13 km of roads were repaired. All proposed structures had been affected by natural disasters for many years and had an urgent need for reconstruction and restoration to meet the needs of agricultural production and transportation for local people.”

208,110 people in Ha Tinh province directly benefited from the emergency disaster relief project in several central provinces.

The project's components have been inspected, handed over, and put into operation by the investor. The total number of people directly benefiting from the project is 208,110, much higher than initially expected. Of these beneficiaries, 50.49% are women and 7.99% are poor.

Also funded by a concessional loan of VND 337 billion from the World Bank, the Local Road Asset Management and Rural Bridge Construction Project (LRAMP), implemented from 2017 to 2021, completed the construction of 72 rural bridges; and renovated and restored 16 roads with a total length of 73.5 km (initially planned for 15 roads, 68.9 km). Of these, the bridge component was implemented in 10 district-level units (excluding Ha Tinh City, Ky Anh Town, and Nghi Xuan District) and the road component in 9 districts (excluding Ha Tinh City, Ky Anh Town, Hong Linh Town, and Nghi Xuan District).

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, head of Huong Yen village (Loc Yen commune, Huong Khe district), shared that the old Loc Yen bridge was low, small, and dilapidated, isolating many residential areas during floods. In the past, many people and their property were swept away while crossing the bridge. The new bridge has brought great joy to the local people. It has helped prevent annual floods; children can easily get to school; and people can easily engage in production and transportation. The structure will also serve well in flood prevention, evacuation, rescue, and relief efforts during major storms and floods.

The Loc Yen bridge (Huong Khe) was constructed through the LRAMP project.

Mr. Tran Van Su, Head of Project Management and Maintenance Management Department, Provincial Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board, said that the project has now been completed and has impacted most districts, cities, and towns in Ha Tinh province. In particular, with the new approach, the partners required the local authorities to allocate regular funds and develop plans for the annual maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure. This clause has contributed to changing the way funds are managed and allocated for regular repairs.

Furthermore, the project has enhanced the experience and professional capacity of investment management officials, project management specialists, and relevant localities; and provided access to a wealth of experience, management skills, and modern international techniques for operating machinery and infrastructure.

Over the past period, ODA projects have provided both financial support and the transfer of knowledge and experience in operation and management to local officials.

According to a report by the Department of Planning and Investment, there are currently 15 ODA-funded projects being implemented in Ha Tinh province with a total investment of nearly 7,500 billion VND. Of this, over 5,700 billion VND is foreign aid, with the remainder being counterpart funding. The management of these projects' funds is carried out strictly in accordance with the State's regulations on basic construction investment management and international practices.

Among these, several ongoing projects have substantial funding, such as: the Basic Infrastructure for Comprehensive Development Project in Ha Tinh Province under the BIIG2 Project (nearly 1,379 billion VND); the Integrated Development Project for Dynamic Urban Areas - Ky Anh Urban Sub-project, financed by a WB loan (over 1,239 billion VND); the Forestry Modernization and Coastal Resilience Enhancement Project (FMCR) in Ha Tinh Province (over 479 billion VND); the Dam Repair and Safety Improvement Component Project in Ha Tinh Province - WB8 (over 484 billion VND); and the "Improving Infrastructure in Flood-Affected Communes in Ha Tinh Province" Project (nearly 668 billion VND)...

In reality, as a disadvantaged locality, Ha Tinh still has a significant need for investment capital for infrastructure improvement projects. However, now that Vietnam has reached middle-income status, it may no longer enjoy the same preferential conditions for ODA loans as before. Therefore, the current requirement is to have an understanding, approach, and actions appropriate to the new circumstances in order to use this capital more effectively…

Forecasts indicate a gradual decrease in ODA funding in the coming period. Therefore, Ha Tinh will actively approach, promote, and lobby for affordable ODA-supported projects. This will focus on new areas and fields where the locality lacks experience and knowledge, such as: circular economy, climate change adaptation, digital transformation, and green growth. Simultaneously, Ha Tinh will develop a strategy to utilize this funding rationally and effectively, creating a solid foundation for infrastructure and socio-economic development.

In terms of effectiveness, ODA projects in recent years have not only provided funding but also transferred knowledge and experience from advanced countries to enhance the capacity of local officials.

Mr. Phan Thanh Bien

Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment

Duong Chien

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/dau-tu/hieu-qua-kep-tu-nguon-von-oda-o-ha-tinh/248661.htm