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| At the working session. Photo: MPI |
Deputy Minister Phuong expressed his belief that Wicklein would play a significant role in successfully implementing the cooperative goals between Vietnam and the ADB. He said that Vietnam aims to become a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030, and a developed country with high-income by 2045. These are ambitious goals for Vietnam, thus the country hopes to receive support from international organizations, including the ADB, to successfully achieve these goals.
Discussing the difficulties, challenges, and proposals for ADB support, the deputy minister said that Vietnam wishes to continue receiving support and cooperation from the ADB in macroeconomic policies and also in the implementation.
Regarding challenge including infrastructure development, especially crucial economic infrastructures like transportation, economic zone infrastructures, and connectivity infrastructures; developing major infrastructures such as high-speed roads along the longitudinal and latitudinal axes; North-South express railway and inter-regional infrastructures, these are important objectives that would open up new development spaces and economic corridors for Vietnam, and infrastructures connecting with other countries with the aim of not only connecting transport but also other sectors such as trade, tourism, education, and training.
Deputy Minister Phuong said Vietnam looks for ADB’s attention to and support through financial and technical support, as well as recommendations on the strategic direction for infrastructure development.
The deputy minister also asked ADB focus on assisting Vietnam achieve its goals of responses to climate change. Vietnam is striving to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 that requires significant resources, and the country hopes for cooperation with international partners, including the ADB.
The country prioritizes and is interested in implementing projects to response to climate change, ensuring sustainable development, especially in the Mekong Delta and coastal areas. In this field, Vietnam is working closely with the ADB to implement the climate change adaptation infrastructure programmes in this region, and has achieved very practical results.
For his part, Wicklein believed that the strong and effective cooperation results over the past 30 years were an important foundation for both sides to continue implementing specific cooperative activities, aiming for a better partnership in the next 30 years.
He also emphasiaed issues related to the project portfolio for the next three years, ADB reforms, loan operation priorities, including infrastructure development and climate change response and private sector development.
The ADB is always ready to boost loan capital to meet mutual needs to continue its close cooperation with the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, identifying obstacles, difficulties, and bottlenecks to accelerate the process of project preparation and approval, and to effectively implement directions and cooperation priorities in the coming time, he added./.
Bao Linh
Ministry of Planning and Investment
