A leading economist on the subject of growth in the region began a week-long visit to Vietnam to share his perspectives on national development strategies with the country's policy makers and researchers.

The visit by the expert on East and Southeast Asian growth, Professor Jomo Kwame Sundaram of Malaysia, is one of the activities supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) aiming to expose Vietnam to international expertise, knowledge and experience needed to formulate its own socio-economic development strategy.

The UNDP said in a press release issued on Aug. 13 that this series of activities includes policy research and discussions that involve leading international experts on different topics identified by Vietnam’s policy makers as necessary for defining strategic options to move the country forward, beyond the middle-level income status.

Prof. Jomo began his visit on Aug. 13 with a roundtable meeting on the concept of a national development strategy and key issues to be addressed in Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the coming ten years – from 2011-2020, the press release said.

He is also scheduled to hold policy dialogues on Aug. 15 and 17 respectively with representatives from Vietnam’s think tanks as well as Government and Party officials.

Jomo KS, as he is better known, has been Assistant UN Secretary-General for Economic Development since 2005. He served as adviser to the President of the UN General Assembly last June and as a member of the Commission of Experts of the President on Reforms and the International Monetary and Financial System./.