Thirty-four initiatives sponsored by the 2011 Vietnam Anti-Corruption Initiative are underway with a number of initial outcomes.

The results, revealed at a workshop in Hanoi on August 16 by the Government’s Inspectorate and the World Bank (WB), have helped minimise corruption and bribery in State agencies and improve the rights of poor people to access capital.

Carried out at the grassroots level, the initiatives attracted the mass who are eager to prevent and combat corruption, said a mid-term review of the programme.

They were aimed at the banking, healthcare and education sectors, with a specific focus on administrative and recruitment procedures.

However, the initiatives still have several shortcomings as many are poor quality and lack the consensus and participation of local authorities, reported the workshop.

Representatives from both organisers pointed out that the increasing trend in corruption in Vietnam mainly relates to socio-economic areas.

Experiences in Vietnam and around the world have shown that it is possible to overcome corruption by means of publicity and transparency. This includes empowering the public with enough rights to fight back.

The participants were of the view that it is necessary to continue raising the capacity of projects and recommended that in future, local authorities need to monitor and facilitate the projects more closely.-VNA