Netherlands grants $2.17m to MRC

By The Nation

 

The government of the Netherlands has granted US$2.17 million (Bt76.4 million) to the Mekong River Commission in support of its MRC Strategic Plan for 2016-2020 including the Flood Management and Mitigation Initial Studies. 

 

The agreement was signed by Dr Pham Tuan Phan, chief executive officer of the MRC Secretariat, and Karin Roelofs of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. 

 

The grant contributes to the MRC basket fund for the implementation of MRC priorities, with one-third earmarked to finalise the Flood Management and Mitigation Initial Studies. The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30304835

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-29

 

The mercedes dealer will be very greatfull to them 

Most generous of the Netherlands. The big unknown is......whose "connected" pockets will most of this end up in?

"...The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin..."

 

As already noted, it may as well end up in the pockets of the "connected" or the Mercedes dealers for all the good it will do.

 

Those "damn" crazy river dragons upstream will ensure they are the ones controlling the strategic directions of the LMD (as well as the upper part, and everything in between) !!!

4 hours ago, Thian said:

The mercedes dealer will be very greatfull to them 

A bit of a sophomoric and uninformed comment. Perhaps you didn't know that Holland has some of the best water management experts in the world. This could simply be seed money for getting Dutch water management companies involved.  

29 minutes ago, does said:

A bit of a sophomoric and uninformed comment. Perhaps you didn't know that Holland has some of the best water management experts in the world. This could simply be seed money for getting Dutch water management companies involved.  

How about this for another sophomoric comment. 

Thais know everything about everything including water management. They don't need Dutch expertise; just the money will do.

What a waste of Dutch taxpayers money. Investment for water projects in the future? Forget it. Thais know better and more about water than the Dutch.

2 hours ago, does said:

A bit of a sophomoric and uninformed comment. Perhaps you didn't know that Holland has some of the best water management experts in the world. This could simply be seed money for getting Dutch water management companies involved.  

"This could simply be seed money for getting Dutch water management companies involved.  "

What edam good idea. I think that's pretty gouda them.sorry..........

" The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin. "

 

Can someone translate this for me, preferably in more 'tangible' terms.

 

I'm not sure of the value of demonstrating the formulation of strategic directions. Seems like some bureaucrats ran amok.

9 minutes ago, rubl said:

" The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin. "

 

Can someone translate this for me, preferably in more 'tangible' terms.

 

I'm not sure of the value of demonstrating the formulation of strategic directions. Seems like some bureaucrats ran amok.

"A group of well paid people sit around a table and discuss flooding, then order a few beers and a pizza and talk about the weather in South Vietnam."

 

" The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin. "
 
Can someone translate this for me, preferably in more 'tangible' terms.
 
I'm not sure of the value of demonstrating the formulation of strategic directions. Seems like some bureaucrats ran amok.

This article might enlighten you:-
http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/livelihoods-food-security-mekong-river/

A simple answer to why all countries invest in other countries. Money!!!

This on the heels of news that China intends to resume blasting of rapids and islets upstream in the Chiang Rai area to allow up to 500 tonne transports through to port facilities in Yunnan (with the military govt's blessing). China, not being a member nation of the MRC, can do what it pleases. The Mekong will be destroyed in less than 2 decades, if MRC member nations do not stand up to China and its new minions in Bangkok. 

4 hours ago, rubl said:

" The Initial Studies are to demonstrate the formulation of strategic directions to manage existing, future and residual flood risks in selected areas of the Lower Mekong Basin. "

 

Can someone translate this for me, preferably in more 'tangible' terms.

 

I'm not sure of the value of demonstrating the formulation of strategic directions. Seems like some bureaucrats ran amok.

It simply means they expect the initial study to reveal which approaches are best suited for further studies into managing flood risks. That is as tangible as it gets with MRC, they only develop approaches and advise governments. This is normal project cycle funding. The initial funds are used to assess if further work is required. This may again be funded by the Dutch government, as funding like this is often used to hire Western experts, as well as locals, not just Thais, most of the flood risks in the Lower Mekong basin is in Cambodia and Viet Nam.

7 hours ago, does said:

A bit of a sophomoric and uninformed comment. Perhaps you didn't know that Holland has some of the best water management experts in the world. This could simply be seed money for getting Dutch water management companies involved.  

But this is Thailand and Mercedes are liked more than water

54 minutes ago, Amplish said:

It simply means they expect the initial study to reveal which approaches are best suited for further studies into managing flood risks. That is as tangible as it gets with MRC, they only develop approaches and advise governments. This is normal project cycle funding. The initial funds are used to assess if further work is required. This may again be funded by the Dutch government, as funding like this is often used to hire Western experts, as well as locals, not just Thais, most of the flood risks in the Lower Mekong basin is in Cambodia and Viet Nam.

So whats in it for the Dutch? Surely if they invest 76 million baht they must be getting something out of it?