PM: Vietnam values and effectively manages ODA

He made the statement at the 20th anniversary celebration of development co-operation between Vietnam and donors held in Hanoi on October 17.

The celebration attracted the participation of more than 300 delegates representing ministries, industries, localities, Ambassadors and international organisations.

He went on to add that over the past 20 years, foreign governments, financial institutions, international organisations and non-governmental organisations have provided Vietnam with strong support and financial and technical assistance that have greatly facilitated development and reforms.

ODA has been been provided in a wide variety of areas including infrastructure upgrade, transportation, electrical energy, irrigation works, healthcare and education and training.

The PM noted that such support is precious for Vietnam particularly when the country was one of the poorest countries in the world and in a period of economic transition and it also shows the friendship, humanity and spirit of mutual assistance.

With its internal strength and support from the international community, Vietnam is now a middle-income country and the government hopes to continue co-operating with foreign partners to consolidate its achieved accomplishments, he added.

Although there remain many shortcomings in the management and use of ODA, the government believes that such shortcomings are being effectively addressed.

PM Dung thanked donors for their strong support, which has contributed significantly to Vietnam's socio-economic development during the past two decades.

Speaking at the meeting, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa reiterated her appreciation for the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam and poverty reduction over the past 20 years, saying that: "A fundamental reason for the extraordinary success of Vietnam's ODA partnership is the strong Government ownership of its development vision and agenda. Vietnam has sought ideas, knowledge and even advice from development partners and then found ways to contextualise and adapt it to fit Vietnam's own context".

"As we celebrate this important milestone, let us all reaffirm our strong commitment to Vietnam's continued development and work together to find innovative and creative ways to bring new partnerships and new financing possibilities to achieve this common endeavour. In doing this we will need to maintain the trust and mutual respect that has characterised our partnership so far", she added.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)