Finland will grant an ODA worth US$12.5 million to Vietnam to help develop the country’s management information system for its forest sector. The grant will be made under an agreement signed in Hanoi on Friday for the Development of Management Information System for Forestry Sector project - Phase 2 (FORMIS II). This project, which comprises five components, will be developed across the country for five years starting from April 2013.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kimmo Lahdevirta expressed his hope that the project will help minimize the impacts of climate change, facilitate people in remote areas gain access to open information sources in the field, and support the sustainable development of the Vietnamese forest sector.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan praised the results of FORMIS I (2009-2012). Good performances of the project in this phase are very significant for the country’s forest sector and form a basis for the Finnish government to continue giving its aid for the second phase. The ministry will try its best to ensure the efficiency of the project, thereby improving forest resources management and contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, Tuan said.

The signing of the above agreement is part of activities to welcome the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Finland.