The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has launched the Danida Business Partnership (DBP) programme to support sustainable development and poverty reduction in its partner countries, including Vietnam.

According to the Danish Embassy in Hanoi, the programme was one of DANIDA’s new policies on "Growth and Employment" which focuses on effectively using Denmark’s development assistance in the private sector.

In force from August 8, 2011, the DBP replaced the Business to Business (B2B) and Innovative Partnership for Development (IPD) programmes and will focus on the field of green growth, including renewable energy, effective use of energy through clean technology and environmentally friendly projects in Vietnam, from 2012 – 2013.

The programme will support the establishment of long-term trade partnerships between Danish and Vietnamese businesses, to help raise Vietnamese partners’ competitiveness through activities such as business introductions, field surveys, technology transfer, export promotions, and improving working conditions and the surrounding environment.

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, John Nielsen said he believed the DBP programme and other DANIDA programmes would continue to significantly contribute to poverty reduction.

He said Denmark was one of the leading countries in preparing for climate change, as well as in renewable energy and the effective use of energy, fields where Vietnam had expressed interest in promoting cooperation.

More information about the DBP programme can be found at www.dbpartnerships.um.dk or www.ambhanoi.um.dk./.