The Government aims to boost the effectiveness of management over the nation' + char(39)+ N's forest by establishing a forestry information network with the help of the Government of Finland and the Trust Fund for Forests (TFF).

An agreement on setting up the information system for the forestry sector was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development' + char(39)+ N's Department of Forestry and the TFF yesterday, December 17. Under the agreement, the project will be implemented during the next three years, with a total budget of 4.4 million euros (US$6.3 million).

The TFF will contribute nearly 1.8 million euros ($2.6 million), the Government of Finland will provide about 2.2 million euros for technical assistance, and the remainder of funds will be provided by the ministry' + char(39)+ N's counterparts. The project will operate at the central level and in three selected provinces of Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Ninh.

Work will include the establishment of regulations and procedures for managing, updating and sharing of information between forestry units as well as for assessment and preparation of facilities and design and establishment of forestry databases. Data collection and ICT training courses in different provinces and at the central level will also be held.

The project' + char(39)+ N's organisers say it will strengthen the systems of forest governance and management, in part by providing equipment and software for the task.

"The development of this information system is of great importance in making the forestry sector' + char(39)+ N's monitoring systems more efficient to meet the requirements of economic, development and social stability at present and in the future", said General Director of Department of Forestry Nguyen Ngoc Binh.

"The sooner it is put into operation, the better it will facilitate the implementation of land policies for poverty reduction in rural areas."

Head of Development Co-operation at the Embassy of Finland, Max von Bonsdorff, said the project was a significant initiative to strengthen sustainable forest management in Viet Nam.