Hanoi (VNA)🌜 – The Vietnamese Government always considersthe World Bank (WB) a close friend and a significant development partner, PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh told WB Country Director in Vietnam CarolynTurk during a reception in Hanoi on October 27.

Speaking highly of the WB’s support and activecontributions to Vietnam's socio-economic development since 1993 through policyconsultation and financial assistance for ODA projects and concessional loans,PM Chinh thanked the Country Director and her collaborators for their contributionsto Vietnam. The PM and the WB Country Director discussedspecific issues related to innovative thinking and simplification of administrativeprocedures to step up significant, large-scale and ongoing projects. PM Chinh informed his guest that Vietnamstill has room for new ODA loans, as the Government is effectively controlling public and Government debts, and budget overspending within acceptable limits. He suggested that the WB consider variousflexible funding methods and models to meet Vietnam's diverse needs,give priority to key projects in the development of strategic transportinfrastructure, such as the North-South high-speed railway, the Ho Chi MinhCity-Can Tho and the Hanoi-Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park railways. Other prioritiesinclude renewable energy, smart agriculture, low-carbon emission, digitaltransformation, and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. Turk, for her part, agreed with the PM’sdirections and priorities for key projects. She also commended Vietnam'svision, development orientations and commitments, especially in areas relatedto climate change adaptation and emission reduction. She also highlighted several important issuesthat need further attention, such as ensuring energy security in a rapidlygrowing economy, exploring the potential of carbon trading, advancing digitaltransformation agenda, responding to climate change in the Mekong Delta, andimplementing a programme to cultivate 1 million ha of high-quality rice aimedfor low emissions. She believed that if successful, Vietnam could become aleader in this field. The guest proposed specific measures to removedifficulties in the implementation of projects, especially large-scale ones. Shepromised to actively work with relevant Vietnamese agencies and accompany Vietnamin its socio-economic development, especially in areas suggested by the PM. In reply, the PM agreed to establish aworking group to review regulations and procedures with the aim of simplifying andstreamlining processes between the two sides. This initiative is intended to remove bottlenecks, reduce implementation time, and improve the efficiency of projects. He also assigned Deputy Prime Minister TranLuu Quang to lead the efforts to clear obstacles, hasten the progress ofprojects and disburse the WB’s capital effectively./.