Canada has contributed to the socio-economic development of Soc Trang province over 22 years
Over the past 22 years, Soc Trang has remained an important partner for Canada’s international assistance in a long term relationship that has evolved alongside the Vietnam-Canada comprehensive partnership.
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| Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil delivered his remarks. (Source: Canadian Embassy) |
On June 14, the Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Shawn Steil, together with Mr. Lam Hoang Nghiep, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Soc Trang and senior Soc Trang officials, highlighted the achievements of Canadian development cooperation projects which have addressed important Soc Trang socio-economic development needs.
Over the past 22 years, Soc Trang has remained an important partner for Canada’s international assistance in a long term relationship that has evolved alongside the Canada-Vietnam comprehensive partnership.
With a total grant budget of more than 22 million CAD, a number of Canada-funded projects have been successfully implemented and contributed to Soc Trang’s socio-economic development, namely: The Small Scale Infrastructure Development and Services project, Capacity Development and Environment Enabling Project, The Soc Trang Improved Rural Livelihoods Project, The Soc Trang Herd and Crop Quality Project, and Soc Trang SME Development Project.
In his remarks, Ambassador Shawn Steil said that Canada was pleased to work with Soc Trang as a trusted partner in their shared commitment to promoting growth that works for everyone, and that helps the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and girls.
Their collective vision with the Government of Vietnam was that this partnership would help Soc Trang government to develop an inclusive and sustainable approach, and provide effective support to enhance economic opportunities for the entire population.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate the Government of Soc Trang for its strong commitment, engagement and support in implementing these successful initiatives while simultaneously strengthening the partnership with Canada. Canada is proud to have worked with and funded these initiatives that have contributed to the socio-economic development of Soc Trang over 22 years”, Ambassador Shawn Steil added.
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| A number of Canada-funded projects have been successfully implemented and contributed to Soc Trang’s socio-economic development. (Source: Canadian Embassy) |
For his part, Mr. Lam Hoang Nghiep, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Soc Trang, affirmed that Canada is a reliable partner, supporting Soc Trang province to overcome difficulties and challenges in the early years when the province was re-establishing programs and projects to improve people's livelihoods.
According to Mr. Lam Hoang Nghiep, Canada’s development assistance has contributed to creating a new image of Soc Trang - a growing Soc Trang. This has contributed to their capacity to attract investment, promote economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, attracting more and more resources for the province's socio-economic development.
"On this occasion, allow me on behalf of the Party, Government and People of Soc Trang province to sincerely thank the Government of Canada for the positive collaboration, attention and support. I hereby pledge that Soc Trang province will always create favorable conditions and maintain the achievements built from the foundations of these initiatives with Canada. We are so pleased we had this opportunity to work together on these provincial projects supported by Canada”, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Soc Trang said.
Canada started international assistance programming with Vietnam in the early 1990s and Soc Trang was one of the fist provinces for this partnership which has reaped tremendous results.
Canada’s international assistance program in Vietnam responds to the Government of Vietnam's vision to reduce and eliminate poverty, including support to inclusive economic development with a particular focus on women and girls, ethnic minority people and the poor.
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| Canada has contributed to the socio-economic development of Soc Trang over 22 years. (Source: Canadian Embassy) |
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| Talk show 22 years partnership between Soc Trang province and Canada. (Source: Canadian Embassy) |
| Information about Canada-funded projects in Soc Trang: The Small Scale Infrastructure Development and Services project and Capacity Development and Enabling Environment project: total of 3 million CAD (2001-2006). The project provided financial resources for construction, upgrading, and rehabilitation of small scale infrastructure in 16 communities, which increases the poor`s access to and benefit from small-scale Infrastructure works and related social services in selected communes with a high incidence of poverty. The Soc Trang Improved Rural Livelihoods Project: 6 million CAD (2000 – 2006). This project improved living standards and income opportunities of poor households and communities and introduced participatory processes in community-based development planning and implementation. The Soc Trang Herd and Crop Quality Improvement Project: 2.6 million CAD (2005- 2009). The project helped to improve the quality, value and profitability of animal and crop products in the province of Soc Trang by covering issues of production, quality development and certification of animal and crop products. More specifically, it addressed breeds’ improvement, performance recording systems, animal husbandry methods as well as enhanced animal and crop production regimes. Finally, the project targeted the introduction and acceptance of codes of practice and quality grade standards, accompanied by the introduction of quality price premiums as a basis for payment, thus enhancing the marketability of higher quality/grade and certified agricultural products. Soc Trang Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) project: 10 million CAD (2011-2021). This project helped the development and implementation of a five-year SME Plan, including provisions to: simplify business registration; improve business development services; facilitate access to finance, land and markets; and strengthen human resource development to meet SME labour force requirements. It also supported the priority of small-scale infrastructure work promoting SME development in 18 communes of five districts; and strengthened the capacity of participating partners at provincial, district and commune levels in SME development: planning, budgeting, financial management, procurement, and monitoring. |
