INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION NEWS FIST HALF OF 2019

On February 22, 2019, at Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) office, VWSA&;s Chairman Cao Lai Quang received Dr. Juergen Hartwig - Director of the "Innovating Vocational Training in Vietnam" Program.
 

The two sides reviewed the results of activities in the field of vocational training on sewerage/drainage and wastewater treatment in the past time, and exchanged some orientations in the coming time.

Through the meeting, Dr. Juergen Hartwig wanted to consult and listen to VWSA's opinions and suggestions to prepare for the upcoming training programs. The two sides also agreed that they would focus on communication to promote the results of vocational training on Sewerage/Drainage and Wastewater Treatment to expand  activities in Vietnam in 2019.

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On March 21, 2019, Chairman Cao Lai Quang and VWSA&;s Leaders had a meeting with Ms. Julia Braune - Managing Director of the German Water Partnership (GWP) at VWSA office.
 

 

Mr. Nguyen Hong Tien - VWSA&; Vice Chairman and Secretary General , Ms. Natalie Kolbe - GWP&;s International Project Coordinator, and VWSA&;s International Cooperation Department, VWSA&;s Office representatives also attended the meeting.

The meeting aimed to summarize results of the Vietnamese - German Water Forum in Hanoi on March 19-20, 2019; review the results of DEVIWAS Project and discuss the remaining work that need to be completed in the coming time when the project is about to enter the final stage.

Chairman Cao Lai Quang thanked Germany for its cooperation and support, especially the German Ambassador in Vietnam. Hopefully, VWSA and GWP will continue to have effective cooperation projects in the coming time. Ms. Julia Braune greatly appreciated VWSA's efforts in coordinating the successful organization of the Forum. The two parties will continue to work closely to finalize the final objectives of the project.

 

Accepting the invitation of Korea Water Works Association (KWWA), VWSA delegation led by Mr. Nguyen Van But - Vice Chairman attended the “18th WATER KOREA 2019” Exhibition and Conference held in Daegu Metropolitan City from March 20-22, 2019.
 

 

At WATER KOREA 2019, some international workshops and seminars were held, including the Vietnam - Korea Water Forum. That helped connecting the companies of two countries; creating the opportunity to learn and share experience,  especially in Korean smart water management; contributing to strengthen cooperation as well as trade promotion activities in Vietnam - Korea water sector.
In particular, on the occasion of the Vietnam - South Korea Water Forum, Mr. Nguyen Van But - VWSA&;s Vice Chairman and Mr. GyeHyun Sun - KWWA&;s Vice President signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the two associations.

On March 22, 2019, the Hungarian Water Association (HWA) mission led by Mr. Károly Kovács - President paid a working visit to VWSA.
 

Chairman Cao Lai Quang and members of VWSA's International Cooperation Department welcomed the HWA President. The two parties summarized the cooperation activities in 2018; discussed and proposed the activities to be implemented in 2019 such as: the twinning project of two water companies of Vietnam and Hungary; developing a database of water sector infrastructure; and a workshop at Vietwater 2019 on this issue.

At the meeting, the HWA&;s President was pleased to invite Chairman Cao Lai Quang to attend the Hugary Water Forum 2019 in Budapest.

On March 28, 2019, at VWSA&;s office, VWSA received the representatives of BSR Korea Group (Korea). 
 

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ung Quoc Dung - VWSA&;s Vice President, Ms. Ha Thanh Hang - Head of VWSA&;s Policy Development and International Cooperation Department, Mr. Kim Chang Su - General Director of BSR, Ms. Kim Phuong - Marketing Manager; Ms. Thanh Mai - Project Manager attended the meeting.
 
The two sides exchanged views on the need to receive technology in the water sector, the situation of water supply, sewerage and drainage, waste water treatment and support projects being deployed in Vietnam.

BSR introduced to VWSA some typical Korean enterprises in water supply, sewerage and drainage, wastewater treatment and some related projects of the Korean Government, and looked for investment and cooperation opportunities.

On March 28, 2019, the representatives of the French Development Program in Vietnam (AFD) visited VWSA&;s office. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ung Quoc Dung - VWSA&;s Vice Chairman and Mrs. Ha Thanh Hang - Head of VWSA's Policy Development and International Cooperation Department received them.
 

The two sides exchanged views on the credit used in water supply, sewerage and drainage ; investment needs in projects ; capital sources being mobilized; difficulties in accessing funding of investors  ; mechanism of defining water supply and drainage price rates; equitization process of water enterprises; potential of public-private partnership (PPP); needs for technical assistance in the water sector, mainly in terms of financial access.

Through the consultations with VWSA, AFD wanted to find opportunities to provide long-term credit with preferential interest rates in water supply, sewerage and drainage field.

On April 5, 2019, a meeting between UBM Asia and VWSA took place at VWSA&;s office. Mr. Nguyen Hong Tien - VWSA&;s Vice Chairman and Secretary General, Ms. Eliane Van Doorm - Asean Regional Business Development Manager and some others attending the meeting.
 

The meeting was to discuss the plan of organizing the Vietwater 2019 in Hanoi from 24 - 26 July 2019 and in Hochiminh City from 6 - 8 November 2019.
Vietwater 2019 is expected to attract more than 750 domestic and foreign enterprises attending, exhibiting a range of the latest products, solutions, equipment and materials of many major domestic and international brands, which will bring advanced solutions and technologies to help solving the challenges that the Vietnamese water sector is facing.

During Vietwater 2019, there will be many seminars and especially the International Conference jointly organized by VWSA and the Organizing Committee. It&;s really an opportunity for VWSA&;s members to exchange and learn valuable experiences, access and apply new technologies and solutions to improve service quality and water quality to adapt in the context of climate change is increasingly harsh, while improving the efficiency of enterprise management and operation.

HaTham