Vietnam treasures each and every cent of ODA and is fully dedicated to fulfilling its commitments to donors, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Dec. 3.

In addressing the opening ceremony of the 2009 Consultative Group (CG) meeting in Hanoi, PM Dung commended on the meeting’s agenda saying it focuses on practical and useful issues for Vietnam.

These include a sober analysis of the current state of economic affairs and the maintenance of macro-economic stability. There are also discussions on restructuring the economy and reforming State-owned enterprises; sustained poverty reduction; administrative reform and modernisation of public services; environmental protection and responses to climate change; and anti-corruption efforts.

The PM stressed that the Vietnamese Government and people deeply appreciate the great support and assistance of the international community, in which ODA has a very important role to play.

“ODA has truly become an important resource for the Vietnamese Government to build and improve its socio-economic infrastructure, enhance its institutions, develop social sectors such as health, education, environmental protection, rural development, and, in particular, poverty reduction,” he said.

He asserted that the government would do its best to improve the effectiveness of ODA utilisation.

The government leader laid out a set of measures to successfully meet socio-economic development targets for 2010, including achieving a 6.5 percent economic growth rate--higher than that of 2009.

He expressed his belief that the meeting, through candid, honest discussions, would help Vietnam focus more on its course of development, and receive greater financial support from all donors.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc said that in 2009, Vietnam --thanks to its great efforts along with the effective assistance from donors and the international community—has overcome its difficulties and challenges stemming from the global financial crisis and natural disasters.

“The year saw the efforts of both the Vietnamese Government and its donors in implementing the Hanoi commitment on ODA disbursement efficiency, especially in harmonising procedures and coordination in dealing with difficulties in carrying out ODA projects,” Phuc said.

WB Country Director Victoria Kwakwa said that through its performance in 2009, Vietnam has proved its ability to overcome adversity.

However, she said Vietnam has much to do to develop its economy in a rapid and sustainable manner in the future, such as assessing the impacts of the global financial crisis on its macro-economy, poverty reduction, employment, social security, the role of the private economic sector in economic growth, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

At the CG meeting, the Asian Development Bank pledged an ODA package of 2 billion USD while the Japanese Government promised 1.6 billion USD to help Vietnam expand the Noi Bai International Airport and the Lang-Hoa Lac Expressway.

The CG meeting, co-held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the World Bank, drew representatives from 34 countries and 10 international organisations./.