Country Director for ADB in Vietnam Eric Sidgwick (centre, right) signs a loan agreement with Nguyen Dung (centre, left), Vice Chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue People's Committee, on August 15 (Photo: ADB) Hanoi (VNA) – Agreements for the Second Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project were signed on August 15between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the provincial People’s Committeesof Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.
Thesigning of these specific pacts came after the ADB and the Ministry of Finance inked an overall 45 million USD loanagreement for the project, the bank’s 4th consecutive tourism project inthe country since 2003.
Theproject aims to transform secondary towns along the GMS’s eastern corridor intoeconomically inclusive and competitive tourism destinations by improvingtransport infrastructure, urban services, and capacity for sustainable tourismgrowth management.
Itwill construct climate-resilient transport and urban infrastructure needed toboost tourist arrivals and tourist services investment, while developing urbangreen spaces and public beaches in the five provinces. It is expected tobenefit about 168,000 residents and more than 8 million visitors annually.
“Inthe past years, the Government has effectively used the ADB’s support toimprove infrastructure, strengthen environmental management in tourismdestinations, promote tourism-related enterprise development, and deepenregional tourism cooperation with GMS and ASEAN neighbors,” said Eric Sidgwick,ADB Country Director for Vietnam.
“Asa result, tourism is thriving in project areas, benefitting thousands ofresidents and locally owned businesses,” he added.
TheADB has a long and successful track record supporting inclusive and sustainabletourism development in Vietnam. A total of 12 provinces have to date received thebank’s tourism growth assistance, with the cumulative financing totaling morethan 110 million USD.-VNA
VNA
