The results of these studies were presented to attendees of a conference jointly held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Hanoi on March 31.

As part of the UNDP-funded project on “assistance to the making of the socio-economic development strategy for the 2011-2020 period”, the studies analysed economic development trends around the world and in the region together with their possible impact on the Vietnamese economy in the next decade.

The studies have provided an insight into the competitiveness of State and private companies as well as international experiences in sharpening the competitiveness of businesses.

They also focused on ways to boost farming productivity and incomes for rural people, along with forecasts on the labour market, employment and urbanisation in Vietnam by 2020.

Addressing the conference, UNDP Resident Representative John Hendra affirmed that the UNDP is willing to discuss and share with Vietnam the views and experiences it has gained to assist the country in making its socio-economic development strategy.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s openness and sharing during the course of building its 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy, describing it as an important document, which will enable donors and international organisations to define priorities in Vietnam’s policies in the next ten years for later use in their national cooperation programmes with Vietnam.

Between 1991-2010, from an agriculture-based economy, Vietnam has moved towards higher growth in a wide range of fields and has also integrated broadly in the regional and world economies, the UNDP official said, urging the country to make wise choices in shaping its future in the coming period in the context of new economic and social challenges.

Improving the quality of investment, the effectiveness and skills of the labour force, and creating a stable environment for businesses to develop are extremely important for Vietnam in its next phase of development, the UNDP official said.

The conference, the first of its kind, brought together representatives from relevant ministries and sectors, international organisations, and foreign embassies, as well as experts on development.