Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam Carolyn Turk (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception inHanoi on October 21 for Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam CarolynTurk.
The PM expressed hisbelief that Turk will continue the success of her predecessors to increasinglyfoster ties between the lender and the country.
He stressed that theVietnamese Government, ministries and agencies wish to receive policy advicesfrom the WB, especially in stabilising macro-economy.
Vietnam has set the twingoal of fighting the pandemic and ensuring economic development. Thanks topublic support, the Vietnamese economy still posted the highest positive growth in ASEAN amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
The leaderthanked the WB for supporting the central region in overcoming disaster consequences, and affirmed that the Government is actively directing ministries, agencies andlocalities to uphold their sense of responsibility and step up the disbursementof official development assistance.
He hailed the lenderfor approving a 12 billion USD support package for countries worldwide,including Vietnam, to buy COVID-19 vaccine, and expressed his hope that Turk willpartner with the Government to fulfill the twin goal.
The host also hopedthat the WB will work closely with the Vietnamese ministries, agencies andlocalities to improve ODA disbursement and efficiency of projects funded by thelender.
As Vietnam is building2021-2026 socio-economic development and public investment plans, the PMsuggested that the WB continue partnering with the Vietnamese ministries,agencies and localities to prepare effective projects to meet thedevelopment demand.
Turk, for her part, expressedher appreciation for close coordination between the Vietnamese Government and WBover the past 25 years. She hoped to step up bilateral ties more effectively inthe near future.
Sympathising with those in thecentral region for losses caused by flooding, she said the WB will do its best tosupport them.
The official also congratulated the Vietnamese Government on successfully curbing theCOVID-19 pandemic and making Vietnam one of a few economies with positivegrowth this year which brings about a great competitive edge to the countryin the global supply chain, especially at a time when many countries worldwidestill shut down to cope with the pandemic.
According to her, anumber of big corporations worldwide plan to move their manufacturingfacilities to Vietnam. Therefore, the country needs to grasp this opportunitybefore countries reopen their economies.
In her opinion, it isa good time for Vietnam to reshape itself in the global economy, adding the countrywill have chances to step up reform in digital Government, transformation andremote health check-up and treatment.
The WB is ready toprovide support in capital, experts and policy consultation to Vietnam, shesaid, adding that it has support resources for Vietnam, evencapital and procedures, to buy COVID-19 vaccine on a large scale.
The official also vowed to workwith Vietnamese ministries and agencies to hasten disbursement of publicinvestment capital, and proposed that Vietnam should further simplify disbursementprocedures for projects.
She also hoped thatthe WB’s four programmes and projects will be soon submitted to the Governmentfor approval./.
