The event was attended by Trang Thi Xuan, member of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee; Cherie Anne Russell, Counsellor for Development Cooperation at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam; and representatives of departments, agencies, the People's Committees of districts and Son La city, businesses, the management unit of the Cowater International project, financial institutions, and universities and colleges in the province, among others.

The GREAT project is set to improve the socio-economic empowerment and position, and adaptability of women in Son La and Lao Cai provinces.

In Son La, the project’s second phase will run from 2022 to 2027 in all of its districts and Son La city. The total funding exceeds 250 billion VND (9.81 million USD), with 236 billion VND in non-refundable ODA from the Australian Government, and 14.5 billion VND from the local budget.

The GREAT 2 Son La project focuses on developing a market system for agricultural products, and strengthening tourism industry capacities, thereby raising economic empowerment for more than 15,000 women, of them 70% ethnic minorities.

It will equip the women with production and business techniques, and help them access market information, agricultural extension services, quality inputs, finance and credit, as well as apply digital skills and technology in production and business.

The project is also expected to contribute to supporting Son La province in implementing national target programmes on socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas, sustainable poverty reduction, and new-style rural area building, and the national gender equality strategy.

Addressing the ceremony, Xuan spoke highly of the results and positive impacts of the project’s first phase, especially in developing and expanding potential sectors, attracting investments, and raising the role of local women, particularly those belonging to ethnic minority groups, in production and business.

Son La is committed to supporting the project to achieve its set objectives, the official said, noting her belief that that the project will help Son La materialise its green, sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development strategies, plans and targets.