H.E. Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Suqri, Ambassador of Oman, delivering the grant to the Representative of the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front. — Photo courtesy of VOI

HÀ NỘI — The Sultanate of Oman granted US$300,000 of financial aid to central provinces and their flood victims on Thursday. 

Việt Nam-Oman Investment (VOI) Director Nguyễn Xuân Giao said: "In addition to investment activities, VOI, as joint-venture between the two countries, is participating in social responsibility projects in Việt Nam and Oman as part of our mission to promote economic and bilateral co-operation."

At the ceremony, Omani Ambassador H.E Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Suqri praised the performance of the VOI as an economic bridge, strengthening the relationship between the people of Việt Nam and Oman. Al Suqri said that, through its social activities, medical supplies, scholarships, green schools and relieving the damages of floods in the central region have all become possible. 

After the historic flood season of 2020, VOI and its portfolio company CME Solar, a leading organisation in rooftop solar investments, supported schools in Hải Lăng District, Quảng Trị Province in renovating classrooms, donating learning equipment, planting trees and installing solar panels.

VOI and CME have provided much-needed relief for schools hit hardest by last year's historic flooding. Their efforts have repaired damages caused by the flood, as well as securing and maintaining shelter for people, whilst protecting the environment.

Of course, an agreement between friends goes both ways - during the COVID-19 outbreak in Oman during June 2020, VOI and its portfolio company, Aikya Pharmaceutical Group, gifted 100,000 medical masks to the Omani people through the Omani Embassy in Việt Nam. In Việt Nam, VOI and Aikya had provided nearly 1.5 million medical masks to support frontline units in the fight against COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020. 

The Ambassador of Oman highly praised the efforts of the Government of Việt Nam in the fight against the pandemic, as well as the efforts of the Vietnamese people in the face of challenges, especially in natural disasters.

"We hope that the aid relief will help share some of the difficulties that families have suffered due to natural disasters, and hope that the friendship and co-operation between the two countries will continue to grow," said H.E Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Suqri.

VOI is a joint venture between the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the State Capital Investment Corporation of Việt Nam (SCIC). Since 2008, VOI has disbursed nearly US$300 million around Việt Nam, mainly for industries with competitive advantages. This venture has contributed to the long-term sustainable development of the Việt Nam economy, meeting essential needs such as infrastructure, electricity, water, education, health, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy. — VNS