Accordingly, the parties agreed that the project design needs an overhaul in order to address both, issues identified by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and concerns raised by the German Government. Based on the instructions of the German Embassy, a plan for a project period lasting until December 2015 has been discussed an agreed upon as a proposal for the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (Option 2). However, the Project Management Unit (PMU) prefers to keep the original timeframe and total budget and was instructed by the Vietnamese Government to present an alternative proposal with a project lasting until December 2017 (Option 1).

If the governments choose Option 1 with the same budget, time frame, objectives and results as originally envisaged, activities will still have to be discussed in detail between PMU and KfW.

In case Option 2 is being chosen by the two governments the main changes in four result areas.

The procurement of consulting services for phase 2 has been initiated. Both parties aim to have a consultant for phase 2 in place after Tet.

PMU and KfW will communicate the results of mission to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (PMU) and the German Embassy (KfW). The final decision will be subject to both Governments.

Earlier, a KfW mission conducted a field trip to review the project progress. The mission visited the National Park, selected afforestations in the villages of Hoa Son and as well as Community Forest Management (CFM) areas in Phu Minh village, Thuong Hoa commune and La Trong village, Trong Hoa commune. In addition, the planned and ongoing ranger station constructions in Hoa Son and km 39 (Road 20) have been visited. The mission inspected Road 20 and the law enforcement concept for Road 20 was introduced by the National Park.

Discussions were held with all relevant departments and stakeholders from provincial and district level as well as with members of the target group.

Reported by Dang Ha
(www.quangbinh.gov.vn)