The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s Environment Protection Fund plans to provide a total of VND 100 billion (USD 5.7 million) in low-interest loans for environmental projects this year.
Additionally, another VND 15 billion will be provided to other projects.
In return, the Fund will receive more than VND 150 billion and VND 10 billion from the State budget for its registered capital supplement and environmental administration, along with VND 50 billion from environmental protection fees.
Nearly 20 provinces have been lent VND 175 billion for 59 environmental protection projects.
The fund has also sponsored 31 programmes for overcoming environmental disasters, raising community awareness and providing environmental prizes.
As planned, by 2010 the Fund would receive more than VND 500 billion (USD 28.6 million) from the State budget to become a bank specialising in providing preferential loans for environmental projects.