Australia has pledged to fund Vietnam an estimated amount of AUD89.6 million ($63.75 million) in the fiscal year 2015-2016, including AUD58.4 million worth of direct bilateral assistance. The aid is part of the Australian government’s Aid Investment Plan (AIP) for Vietnam for the period 2015-2020, which reaffirms commitment and support of Australia for the Southeast Asian nation’s sustainable development. Closely linked to the priorities set forth in Vietnam’s 2011-2020 plan for socio-economic development 2011-2020, the new plan has devised three key objectives: (1) Enhance the involvement of the private sector in economic development;, (2) Support job creation for highly skilled labor force; and (3) Promote the economic capacity of women, including ethnic minority people. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Hugh Borrowman said the new AIP demonstrates Australia's support for Vietnam in the new stage of development. He confirmed its willingness to back the sustainable economic development of Vietnam as well as carrying out a target aid program of high quality. Australia has maintained its efficient provision of ODA for Vietnam for years, including support for the building of two important bridges- My Thuan and Cao Lanh, which helps connect local people and markets in the Mekong Delta region to the rest of Southeast Asia. Australia has also provided more than 5,700 scholarships for Vietnamese students studying in the country. Additionally, it has also assisted 82% of Vietnamese rural people to have access to clean water under a National Target Program for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation.(vov.vn Oct 2, vnmedia.vn Oct 4, cand.com.vn Oct 4)
