Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem has praised the cooperation, assistance and support from the ADB to Vietnam in the past.

Deputy PM Khiem stated this while receiving the visiting President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kuroda in Hanoi on Febuary 28, stressing that the assistance contributed to socio-economic development in Vietnam .

Deputy PM Khiem informed his guest that Vietnam has become a country with average income, however, it still faces many difficulties during its development.

As in many other developing nations, Vietnam is affected by global challenges, including climate changes and Vietnam hopes to continue receiving cooperation and assistance from the ADB.

The Deputy PM hailed the ADB’s selection of Vietnam as the venue for its 44 th annual meeting, creating an opportunity for Vietnam to promote its products, culture and tourism, especially achievements in socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

He stressed that the Vietnamese government considered the ADB meeting an important event and will prepare well to make the event a success.

Haruhiko Kuroda said he hoped that cooperation between the ADB and Vietnam would have more success in the future and agreed with Deputy PM Khiem on the challenges that Vietnam will face, including climate change.

He said that ADB will continue to assist Vietnam in developing the infrastructure of its financial and educational sectors to help Vietnam ’s economy to develop and improve its people’s living conditions.

He highly appreciated Vietnam ’s cooperation in preparing for the ADB’s 44 th annual meeting scheduled for May in Hanoi. /.