Scene of the working session

The meeting reviewed and assessed the implementation of the Keo Coi Lake Upgrade and Repair Project in Tran Phu Commune and explored opportunities to cooperate on research and the application of new technologies to repair and upgrade irrigation infrastructure across the province.

Keo Coi Lake has a capacity of more than 52,000 m³ and supplies irrigation water to over ten hectares of rice and other crops, directly supporting local agricultural production. Built many years ago, the structure developed seepage and leakage through the dam body during operation, causing water loss, reducing storage capacity, and posing safety risks. To address the deterioration while ensuring dam safety and maintaining effective support for production, the Keo Coi Lake Upgrade and Repair Project was implemented with the cooperation and assistance of Japanese businesses. A key feature was the study and application of PRESS-IN technology to waterproof and reinforce the structure. This new approach offers a practical means of identifying appropriate technical solutions for repairing and upgrading aging reservoirs affected by seepage through their dam bodies. Approximately one year after its completion and commissioning, the upgraded facility has demonstrated clear effectiveness. Keo Coi Lake now retains water effectively, with no recurrence of the previous seepage or leakage, and maintains a water supply that largely meets local agricultural production needs.

Hashimoto Kazunori, Deputy General Director of Hashimoto Gumi Group, speaks at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Hashimoto Kazunori, Deputy General Director of Hashimoto Gumi Group, said that ensuring the safety of irrigation infrastructure is particularly important amid increasingly complex climate change impacts. When such infrastructure deteriorates or is damaged, both agricultural production and people's lives can suffer serious consequences. Building on the effectiveness of the Keo Coi Lake Project, the group hopes to strengthen cooperation and gradually deploy the technology more widely in Thai Nguyen and other localities across Vietnam.

Comrade Nguyen Dang Binh, on behalf of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, thanks Ozawa Doboku Joint Stock Company and Hashimoto Gumi Group for their continued engagement and support in researching and applying new technologies to upgrade and repair Keo Coi Lake

Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Dang Binh, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, expressed strong appreciation for the continued engagement and support of Ozawa Doboku Joint Stock Company and Hashimoto Gumi Group in researching and applying new technologies to upgrade and repair Keo Coi Lake. He affirmed that this valuable assistance is helping Thai Nguyen Province gradually access and apply advanced scientific and technological solutions to modernize irrigation infrastructure, secure water for agricultural production, support stable livelihoods for the People, and improve resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

The Permanent Deputy Secretary emphasized that the project's value extends beyond the repair and upgrade of a single reservoir. More importantly, its implementation has given Thai Nguyen Province greater access to advanced Japanese technologies, experience, and methods for managing and repairing irrigation infrastructure. This approach is consistent with the province's development direction in the period ahead: expanding the application of science, technology, and innovation; effectively mobilizing social resources; strengthening international cooperation; gradually modernizing infrastructure; improving water-resource management and use; and ensuring the safety of irrigation works. He requested Ozawa Doboku Joint Stock Company and Hashimoto Gumi Group to continue supporting and coordinating with the province by sharing information on technologies, technical requirements, and practical implementation experience. This would provide Thai Nguyen with a stronger basis for assessing potential applications when reservoirs require upgrading or repair. He also instructed the province's specialized agencies to continue reviewing and fully assessing the condition and safety of reservoirs, particularly older facilities that have deteriorated or show signs of seepage and leakage. On that basis, the agencies should establish priorities, develop plans, and select appropriate repair and upgrade solutions that ensure investment efficiency and long-term safety.

Comrade Nguyen Dang Binh expressed confidence that, building on the established cooperation and the demonstrated effectiveness of the Keo Coi Lake Upgrade and Repair Project, Thai Nguyen and the consortium of Ozawa Doboku Joint Stock Company and Hashimoto Gumi Group will develop further practical and effective cooperation programs in the period ahead. Such cooperation will help ensure infrastructure safety and water security, improve the People's living standards, and advance the province's socioeconomic development.

Thai Nguyen provincial leaders and representatives of the Ozawa Doboku-Hashimoto Gumi consortium posing for a commemorative photo