NDO – The Embassy of India signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the People’s Committee of eight provinces of Vietnam for implementing eight Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) at an online ceremony held on October 27, according to the Embassy of India.

Accordingly, the eight provinces include Ha Tinh, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri and Tuyen Quang.

The signing ceremony was chaired by Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, and Ho An Phong, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Binh, and attended by leaders of People’s Committees and relevant departments of these provinces.

Earlier this month, MoU for two QIPs – one each in Yan Bai Province and Lao Cai Province – were signed.

The MoU signed this year shall facilitate implementation of grassroots projects in ten provinces, including – educational infrastructure in the provinces of Ha Tinh, Khanh Hoa, Lao Cai, Nghe An, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri and Tuyen Quang; irrigation and water supply projects in Yen Bai Province and Quang Binh Province; and a social welfare project in Hai Phong. With these 10 projects, the total number of QIPs in Vietnam had reached 37, covering 33 provinces.

The Quick Impact Projects, each valued at US$50,000, are implemented as part of India’s grant-in-aid assistance programme under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC). During the Virtual Summit between Prime Ministers of India and Vietnam held on 21 December 2020, the Government of India committed to increase the number of QIPs for Vietnam every year from 5 to 10, in view of the benefits that these small projects bring at the grassroots level.

Although small in size, these Quick Impact Projects, which are implemented in a short period of time, bring tangible and rapid benefits to the local community. In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Pranay Verma noted that the success of the QIP programme in Vietnam signified their utility in bringing quick development at local level. He added that the collaboration between the embassy and the provincial authorities towards the timely implementation of these projects reflected the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam and the collective efforts towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by Vietnam.

On behalf of People’s Committee of Quang Binh and the representatives of People’s Committees of the provinces present at the signing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Quang Binh thanked the Embassy and the Government of India for implementing QIPs in Vietnam. He appreciated the benefits of these small projects in remote and difficult areas of Vietnam, particularly in supporting basic infrastructure in the education, transport, and irrigation sectors, thus complementing the socio-economic development efforts of the local governments.