Areas of Expertise – Integra LLC

Asia, Asia, Blog, Business Enabling Environment, Economic Growth, Economic Growth & Trade, Uncategorized

Facilitating Public-Private Partnerships and Sustainable Development in Vietnam: AEO’s Impact

In recent years, Vietnam has prioritized enhancing its infrastructure through strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors. Recognizing the pivotal role of these partnerships, USAID/Vietnam has collaborated closely with local stakeholders to bolster the regulatory framework and capacity necessary for successful Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). A cornerstone of this effort has been the partnership with the American Economic Officers team, leveraging their expertise to support initiatives crucial to Vietnam’s development agenda.

Supporting Vietnam’s PPP Ecosystem

At the request of USAID/Vietnam, AEO has been instrumental in fortifying Vietnam’s PPP ecosystem, focusing on key areas such as regulatory enhancement, capacity building, and fostering sustainable business models. Building upon the groundwork laid by Integra under the Learning Evaluation and Analysis Project (LEAP III), AEO’s intervention has strengthened the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (VCCI) role as the linchpin for coordinating domestic and international private sector engagements in PPPs.

Capacity Building Initiatives

AEO’s commitment to capacity building is evident in their series of workshops and training sessions tailored to empower local stakeholders. Notably, the PPP Skills Camp equipped participants from diverse sectors with essential knowledge on dispute resolution in PPPs. This initiative, held in collaboration with the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC), aimed to enhance VIAC’s capacity to handle disputes related to infrastructure projects—a crucial aspect in ensuring the sustainability and attractiveness of PPP ventures to investors.

Regulatory Advancements and Stakeholder Engagement

In February 2023, Integra organized a roundtable discussion on PPP regulations, highlighting challenges and proposing solutions to optimize the PPP legal framework. This session, attended by key government officials and industry experts, underscored the collaborative effort needed to streamline PPP processes and foster a conducive environment for private sector participation.

Innovative Financing Solutions

The AEO Team extends to exploring innovative financing mechanisms for infrastructure projects. Through comprehensive research and stakeholder consultations, Integra has developed reports advocating for the mobilization of new financing sources, including insights on recycling government assets—an approach successfully implemented globally but underutilized in Vietnam.

InvestBridge Platform: Empowering Provincial Growth

Under the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) initiative, the AEO Team partnered with local firm OneNet JSC to develop the InvestBridge platform. This digital platform serves as a connection point for provincial growth by facilitating connections among investors, advisors, and local authorities. InvestBridge streamlines how provinces attract and manage investments, thereby bolstering Vietnam’s economic landscape.

Looking Ahead

AEO’s support underscores USAID’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in Vietnam. By empowering local institutions, refining regulatory frameworks, and fostering stakeholder collaboration, the work accomplished under AEO has laid a robust foundation for Vietnam to achieve its infrastructure development goals. As the partnership culminated in December 2023, the focus remained on ensuring the sustainability and inclusivity of Vietnam’s economic growth trajectory through strategic PPPs and enhanced provincial competitiveness.

For more information on AEO, please visit our AEO Contract Profile.

July 31, 2024/by jschur

Areas of Expertise, Information and Communication Technology for Development

Integra Completes TV White Space Pilot in Indonesia

In partnership with Microsoft, Hitachi, Jogja Medianet, and the Government of Indonesia, Integra recently concluded a year-long field trial of a new technology that has the potential to revolutionize broadband access in rural parts of the developing world. The pilot was implemented with funding from the US Agency for International Development, and NetHope, Inc. A short fact sheet about the TVWS pilot can be downloaded here. The full TVWS report can downloaded here. Read more

May 12, 2015/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Wildlife Trafficking

USAID Launches The Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge

Integra is excited to announce the launch of USAID’s Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge, a competition that will source innovative science and technology solutions to combat the issue of wildlife crime.

The Challenge will offer applicants an opportunity to win Grand Prizes of as much as $500,000, as well as technical assistance in fields such as technology development, business planning, and marketing. Winners will also receive access to networks of peers, funders, and consumers, and be eligible to apply for a grant to bring the solution to scale. By harnessing the power of technology, the Challenge hopes to overcome critical barriers and accelerate the pace at which we address the wildlife trafficking crisis. Read more

March 3, 2015/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Asia, Biodiversity, Environment, Environment & NRM, Originally posted on the GBI Portal, Where we work

Integra Evaluates $20 Million USAID Project in “the Serengeti of Asia”

An Integra evaluation team recently concluded a mid-term performance evaluation of USAID’s Supporting Forests and Biodiversity (SFB) Project in northeastern Cambodia, under USAID’s REPLACE IDIQ. The project, aims to mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity through improved conservation and forest governance. It is implemented through a cooperative agreement with Winrock International and supported by the East West Management Institute, WWF, People and Forests (RECOFTC), and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Read more

February 11, 2015/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Information and Communication Technology for Development, Integra News

Integra Supports Nigeria Universal Service Provision Fund To Close ICT Gap

January 20, 2015/by actualize

Africa, Areas of Expertise, Environment & NRM, Integra News, REPLACE Update, Where we work

Integra Evaluates USAID’s STEWARD III Under REPLACE

As a Task Order under the REPLACE IDIQ, Integra has conducted a mid-term performance evaluation of the Sustainable and Thriving Environments for West Africa Regional Development Program (STEWARD III), being implemented for USAID/West Africa by the US Forest Service International Program in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire.

June 20, 2014/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Environment & NRM, Integra News

Involving Women in Domestication and Indigenous Knowledge for REDD+

In order for REDD+ programs to be truly effective, communities must take ownership of the process to address deforestation and forest degradation. Accordingly, it is crucial that these programs involve women and indigenous groups in sustainable forest management efforts. This article will discuss the need to build the capacity of both men and women, in domestication techniques and the use of indigenous knowledge systems, to address climate change and its affect on communities. In doing so, international development organizations can better address the issue of sustainable forest management, and ensure that all community members benefit from the results of these mechanisms. Read more

April 4, 2014/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Environment & NRM, Information and Communication Technology for Development

Green Alternatives to Diesel Powered Mobile Base Stations

As cellular networks continue to expand throughout the developing world, mobile base stations are increasingly located in rural areas that are often difficult to reach and not connected to electrical grids. As a result, an estimated 640,000 base stations around the world are off-grid. Diesel generators power most of these, but other options exist. This article is the first in a series looking at the relationship between mobile networks and energy. In this entry we take a look at the issues of diesel power and near term possibilities for greener, more sustainable options. Read more

March 18, 2014/by actualize

Areas of Expertise, Environment & NRM, Integra News

Integra LLC Awarded IDIQ Contract for USAID’s REPLACE

Integra LLC is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for USAID’s Restoring the Environment through Prosperity, Livelihoods and Conserving Ecosystems (REPLACE). This five-year, multi-award contract with an overall ceiling price of $700,000,000 will provide technical services to USAID Missions and operating units to improve the sustainable, long-term management of natural resources. Read more

February 10, 2014/by actualize