The World Bank (WB) will provide USD710 million for Vietnam to implement three projects on public investment reform, irrigation and urban water supply.

To this effect, the State Bank of Vietnam and the WB signed loan agreements and legal documents in Hanoi on July 13, relating to the second Public Investment Reform Programme (PIR2) Development Policy, the water resource management project serving the development of the Mekong Delta and the urban water supply and sewage project.

According to WB Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa, the funding for the three projects aims to strengthen the efficiency of public investment, provide clean water for residents in the project areas and improve their adaptability to climate change.

The Urban Water Supply and Sewage Project – Phase 1 will use the WB loan of USD200 million to improve water supply systems in seven provinces, namely Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, Kien Giang, Lam Dong, Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc.

It also aims to improve wastewater treatment in seven localities, including Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Quang Nam , Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc.

The USD350 million PIR 2 will focus on checking the environment for infrastructure investment projects using public capital sources, project supervision and assessment, and public finance management.

The remaining USD160 million would be granted to the water resource management project serving the rural development of the Mekong Delta. The project aims to raise the efficiency of using water resources in the region, increase agricultural productivity and improve clean water supply for rural households.