The ceremony was attended by Hoang Quoc Khanh, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lao Cai Province and Head of the GREAT Project Steering Committee of Lao Cai Province; Cherie Anne Russell, Development Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and Co-Head of the GREAT 2 Project Steering Committee in Lao Cai Province; representatives of the Ministry of Planning and Investment; and representatives of the People's Committees of districts and cities in the project area.
The GREAT project, funded by the Australian Government, is being implemented from 2017-2027 in the provinces of Lao Cai and Son La, with total aid value of 67.4 million Australian dollars. The project aims to enhance the economic empowerment of women, especially ethnic minority women,in the provinces of Lao Cai and Son La.
Phase 1 of the project was implemented from 2018-2022 with many activities that helped 6,819 Lao Cai women increase their income; helped 1,568 women obtain new jobs, with 86% of women participating in the project reporting that they feel more confident; and mobilised 3.14 million USD in private investment in agriculture and tourism.
In Lao Cai Province, phase 2 of the project will be implemented in most districts, towns, and cities from 2022-2027, with a total investment of more than 244 billion VND, of which non-refundable ODA capital from the Australian Government accounts for more than 236 billion VND.
The focus of the project is to develop the market system for agricultural products, strengthen the capacity of the tourism industry, thereby increasing the economic empowerment of women. It is expected that more than 14,000 women, 70% of whom are ethnic minority women living in Lao Cai Province, will benefit from the GREAT 2 Lao Cai Project.
The project is expected to help women to improve theirincome, participation in socio-economic activities, and position and confidence in the family, community, production,and business environment. The project contributes to supporting Lao Cai Province in implementing national target programs and Vietnam's gender equality strategy.
To date, all preparations for the GREAT 2 Lao Cai Project have been completed. Lao Cai Province commits to implementing project activities immediately after the announcement and launch ceremony of the project.
