Nghe An proposes JICA to study and invest in the Project to Restore and Upgrade the Southern Irrigation System.

On the afternoon of February 21, the People's Committee of Nghe An province worked with the expert delegation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by Mr. Murooka Naomichi - Deputy Chief Representative, JICA Office in Vietnam to update the progress of projects and cooperation orientation in the coming time.

Receiving and working with the delegation were comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and leaders of a number of provincial departments and branches.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

EFFORTS TO SUPPORT NGHE AN

Currently, JICA has been supporting the implementation of 4 projects in Nghe An, of which 2 have been completed: Technical cooperation on planning for agricultural development and Diversifying livelihoods based on heritage tourism in agricultural and fishing villages.

Two projects are being implemented: Restoration and upgrading of the Northern Irrigation System; Restoration and sustainable management of protective forests in Nghe An province.

Along with that, JICA has dispatched experts to Nghe An to actively and effectively support the activities of the Agricultural Market Forum in connecting consumption, building value chains and promoting agricultural products of Nghe An province.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu assessed: JICA's projects have brought great efficiency in the socio-economic development process in Nghe An.

Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu speaks at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

The Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee hopes that JICA will continue to support and assist the province in completing ongoing cooperation projects; at the same time, continue to be a bridge to help and introduce more Japanese businesses, investors and partners to Nghe An; making the relationship between Nghe An and Japan more practical.

At the meeting, Nghe An proposed that JICA extend the Northern Irrigation System Restoration and Upgrade Project for another 2 years, until 2025, and at the same time allow the use of the remaining capital of the project to invest in additional necessary items to synchronize the irrigation system and promote higher efficiency.

The province also proposed JICA to approve and study the investment in the Project to Restore and Upgrade the Southern Nghe An Irrigation System with a total estimated investment of VND 3,500 billion in the 2022 - 2026 period; and at the same time continue to support the Agricultural Market Forum.

JICA experts also discussed a number of issues related to supporting the province's agricultural development through cooperation programs and projects; and developing agricultural human resources.

Mr. Murooka Naomichi - Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Office in Vietnam spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

Mr. Murooka Naomichi - Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Office in Vietnam said: JICA is making the best efforts to implement related activities. With the large number of projects and activities in Nghe An, he suggested that relevant parties should organize regular meetings to update and implement projects most effectively.

The Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Office in Vietnam also said that he had surveyed the Southern Nghe An Irrigation System and that this project is being considered by the Japanese Government's functional agencies; thereby hoping that Nghe An province would pay attention and cooperate.

Through the implementation of two pilot projects including: Digital connection between farmers and traders in Nghe An and online sales support at some vegetable production facilities under the Nghe An Agricultural Market Forum, Mr. Murooka Naomichi proposed to evaluate, perfect, replicate this model in the province and introduce it to other localities across the country.

Mr. Hayashi Mikio - First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam discussed some contents about sending interns to work in Japan. Photo: Thanh Duy

CONTINUE TO PROMOTE RELATIONSHIPS AND COOPERATION

At the end of the meeting, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu agreed with JICA's proposal that relevant parties such as administrative agencies, enterprises, etc. in the projects work periodically to confirm progress and exchange experiences in cooperation. Thereby, it is proposed to JICA that this activity will be implemented once a month.

For the Project to Restore and Upgrade the Northern Nghe An Irrigation System, the provincial leaders will coordinate with relevant local authorities to continue to urge to ensure both construction progress and quality; and ensure irrigation for people's production.

Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu introduces the province's OCOP products. Photo: Thanh Duy

Regarding the Southern Nghe An Irrigation System Restoration and Upgrade Project, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu emphasized that this is a very necessary project for the province's 5 districts. According to JICA's proposal, the province will continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to include it in Vietnam's priority projects to facilitate access to JICA and Japanese capital.

The province will also continue to pay attention and discuss with experts dispatched by JICA and find new solutions, strengthen cooperation connections with Japanese enterprises to further promote the effectiveness of the Nghe An Agricultural Consumption Forum in the coming time.

Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu presented a souvenir to Mr. Murooka Naomichi - Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Office in Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Duy

The Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee also hopes to continue cooperation between the Japan Agricultural Products Business Chamber and the Nghe An Agricultural Market Forum.

Nghe An also agreed to cooperate well if the province was selected by JICA to pilot the human resource training project, through sending agricultural interns to Japan.

Leaders of Nghe An province and the delegation of experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency took a souvenir photo. Photo: Thanh Duy

On behalf of the provincial leaders, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu sincerely thanked JICA for its cooperation and hoped that the cooperation and association between the two sides would continue to develop better and more in the coming time.