Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc poses for a photo with the ADB leaders and staff. (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is one of the most important partnersin providing capital, technical assistance and policy advice to Vietnam, PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at the 50th anniversary of the establishment ofthe bank.
The PM said as afounding member, Vietnam always proactively contributes to the development ofthe ADB and makes efforts to build a close and effective relationship with thebank.
The opening of theADB representative office in Vietnam in December, 1996, is an importantlandmark in the Vietnam-ADB relationship and since then, the office has actedas a bridge, helping bring the relationship to a new height, the PM said.
He noted that thetwo sides have signed and implemented more than 160 programmes and projectsworth around 16 billion USD in total, including Official Development Assistanceand concessional loans.
The ADB’sprojects in Vietnam cover a wide range with a focus on supporting equal andsustainable growth, PM Phuc said, stressing that they have been implementedeffectively, helping transform Vietnam from a poor nation into a middle income countrydeeply integrated into the region and the world.
The PM affirmedthe ADB has been not only a sponsor but also a partner in advising policies forthe Vietnamese government and the ABD’s researches and reports have been usefulconsulting materials for the Vietnamese government.
The head of the Vietnamesegovernment said despite difficulties and challenges, Vietnam will continue tostrongly implement reform programmes, maintain macro-economic stability,perfect institutions, improve investment environment, develop the workforce,protect the environment and respond to climate change while ensuring socialsecurity, thus laying a firm foundation for long-term development.
In that process,Vietnam will always treasure and use effectively the capital and loans providedby the ADB, he said, expressing the hope that the bank and its Vietnam officewill closely work with ministries and localities for the successfulimplementation of the Vietnam-ADB Country Partnership Strategy for the2016-2020 period.
The PM alsoasked the bank to continue working with Vietnam in regional mechanisms like theMekong sub-region, ACMECS, CLMV, and CLV for economic connectivity, transportinfrastructure, sustainable poverty alleviation, and climate change response.
At the event,the ADB Country Director Eric Sidgwick said in the past 50 years, the bank hasloaned 250 billion USD for infrastructure, research, and knowledge sharing toopen up opportunities and create prosperity across Asia-Pacific.
The ABD has closelyworked with the Vietnamese government to promote equal development, reduce povertyand support sustainable development in the transition from a centrally-plannedeconomy to a market economy, he said.
🌱 Sidgwickaffirmed the ADB’s commitment to stronger support for Vietnam via encouragingthe creation of jobs, enhancing competitiveness, boosting the coverage ofinfrastructure and service provision, improving environmental sustainabilityand responding to climate change.-VNA
