HO CHI MINH CITY, October 31, 2014 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today publicly launched its Healthy Markets program – an initiative to encourage local private sector investment and foster growth of a commercial market important to in the HIV response in Vietnam.

Despite significant progress in reducing the number of people living with HIV, the disease remains a critical health challenge in Vietnam. The USAID initiative will support efforts to grow a viable commercial market for high quality and lifesaving HIV-related goods and services, including condoms, HIV testing, and counselling.

“USAID is committed to supporting sustainable approaches to improve health in Vietnam,” said Dr. Ariel Pablos-Méndez, USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health at the launch ceremony. “Over five years, the project will work with private sector actors to explore opportunities for new distribution channels and increased demand among key populations. Ultimately, we aim for private sector-led solutions for access to and demand for the goods that are essential to a successful response to HIV in Vietnam.”

Healthy Markets will work with the private sector to leverage solutions, expertise, interests, and assets to foster market growth. The initiative will offer market data and consumer profiling, establish a Market Growth Advisory Board, technical assistance, and innovation funding. The project will also work closely with government partners to ensure policy and regulatory frameworks are in place to support market growth, including advocating for the introduction of a quality logo for condoms and other HIV-related goods and services.

“I hope that the innovative approaches of Healthy Markets can be applied across Vietnam, contributing positively to the sustainable response to HIV,” said Mr. Vo Tan Thanh, General Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ho Chi Minh City Branch. Mr. Thanh encouraged enterprises to “actively participate in Healthy Markets by producing, distributing and selling goods; providing services; or through their corporate social responsibility programs. This will ensure there are appropriate interventions to address HIV in Vietnam.”

Healthy Markets will be implemented with USAID funding through 2019 by PATH, in partnership with The Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population and T&A Ogilvy.

You can find pictures from the launch ceremony here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk2fsVqG

You can find additional information about USAID support for health in Vietnam here: http://www.usaid.gov/vietnam/global-health