France to invest in irrigation project

BAC NINH — The northern rice-growing province of Bac Ninh is set to receive a VND372 billion (US$19.5 million) loan from France to improve the province's irrigation systems.

The funding, to be provided by the French Development Agency (AFD), will be used to upgrade and build three pumping stations in Luong Tai District, and to upgrade irrigation channels in Gia Binh District.

This is part of the Strengthening Water Management and Irrigation Systems Rehabilitation project. The construction work is slated to be finished by mid-2015.

Book exchange scheme to protect environment

HA NOI — A two-month programme exchanging second-hand books for eco-friendly bags was launched on Wednesday at the Ha Noi National University of Education by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Canon Viet Nam.

Three second-hand books could be given away for one eco-friendly bag made from cotton which easily disintegrates under normal weather conditions. The programme aims to reduce the use of nylon bags.-VNS