Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Can Tho (VNA) – TheMinistry of Planning and Investment and the World Bank (WB) on January 9organised a consultation on the national cooperation strategy for the 2017-2021period in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
The conference drew theparticipation of representatives from provinces and cities, institutes anduniversities in the Mekong Delta region.
Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, said the nationalcooperation strategy between Vietnam and the WB in the next five years is a newand important one with priority given to climate change response.
He said the WB would support thedevelopment of Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta region, affirming that WBcommitments to Vietnam will remain unchanged.
According to him, from January 1, 2018, Vietnam would be no longer get accessto preferential loans from the International Development Association but onlycapital from the InternationalBank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), requiring the country to use capital effectively.
Nguyen Van Sanh, head of theMekong Delta Research Institute under the University of Can Tho, said the MekongDelta has been facing many big challenges like dependence on rice, watersecurity and natural resources management.
In that context, the region needs support in regional connectivity, watermanagement and livelihoods, logistics and transport infrastructure development,he noted.
Vo Thi Hong Anh, Vice Chairman ofthe Can Tho city People’s Committee, said many provinces in the Mekong Delta havepotential to develop renewable energy such as wind and solar power.
However, if there is not an overall plan, it is very difficult to develop suchenergies, she said, suggesting the WB support the making of the plan.
Pham Thanh Tao, deputy directorof the Vinh Long Department of Natural Resources and Environment, recommendedthe WB assist the region in building a land database, which would help solvemany issues like water management and environmental pollution.
The strategy will be submitted tothe leaders of the WB in five months.-VNA
