On May 6, in Binh Duong, n workshop on Green Investment Facility (GIF) was conducted for SMEs in Binh Duong. The workshop attracted the participation of many businesses in the province. This is a part of a series of workshops to be held in 10 targeted provinces of the Low Carbon Transition in Energy Efficiency Project (LCEE).

Mr. Amarnath Reddy - Senior Advisor of the project in the middle of his general presentation on LCEE Project to enterprises in Binh Duong.

According to data from Binh Duong Department of Industry and Trade, the province has 430 SMEs operating in 3 project targeted areas: brick, ceramics and food processing. Number of SMEs in Binh Duong ranks the 4th largest among the 10 targeted provinces of LCEE Project, just behind Hanoi, Vinh Long and Ho Chi Minh City.

It is reported that the LCEE project will continue to support the National Target Program on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy with budgetary resources for GIF up to VND 110 billion. In 2015 and 2016, the Project aims to expand its support to 100 to 130 SMEs in 3 sectors: brick, ceramics and food processing.

Participating in the project, companies and enterprises would have the opportunity to receive a loan ranging from VND400 million to VND4 billion for investments into energy saving. After 800 hours of operation, the businesses would achieve energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions as required by the project, then they will be rewarded with value of 10-30% of the loan.

At the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang - a project's National Consultant made a presentation on the Project and answered questions about the technical details and the calculation on energy power as required by the project. At the same time, the experts and project staff also facilitated the discussion among enterprises on ideas for energy saving subprojects in the businesses and the calculation of investment costs.

The workshop also acknowledged the energy savings experience sharing represented by representatives from Binh Duong businesses, as well as the commitments confirmed by the local banks in support to businesses involved in the project.

Trong Tan