Addressing the closing session of the Consultative Group Meeting in Hanoi on December 6, James Adams, Vice President of the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific, welcomed the Government’s solutions to lessen the impact of the global economic crisis and spur growth in 2008 and 2009. He said the amount of aid showed donors’ trust in the Government’s commitment to using the capital effectively.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc said that the Government has adopted many solutions to stabilise the macro economic, maintain growth potential and support the poor. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the aid harmonisation and effectiveness programme after endorsing the ACCRA Action Plan.

Vietnam will accelerate the fight against corruption to maximise the use of foreign aid, said Mr Phuc.

During the two-day meeting, donors praised Vietnam for its impressive achievements in reining in runaway inflation and tackling the food and energy crises early this year. They suggested that the Government continue with reform to overcome weaknesses in the economy and pay more attention to the poor and those vulnerable to the crisis.  

Shogo Ishii, a senior official of the International Monetary Fund, painted a bright picture for Vietnam in the medium term if Vietnam continues to maintain strong economic reforms in 2009. However, he advised Vietnam to be cautious about setting growth targets for 2009, taking into account risks that Vietnam might face from outside.

Ayumi Konoshi, director of the Asian Development Bank in Vietnam, said that the Government should keep a close watch on the situation and make a careful analysis to adopt appropriate solutions. He raised his concern about the negative effects of the crisis on the poor and small and medium-sized businesses, and affirmed the bank’s desire to support Vietnam within its capacity. 

On the behalf of the European Union (EU), Herve Bolot, French ambassador to Vietnam, acknowledged challenges Vietnam is facing and said the EU will continue to support the country.

The EU wants to build a long-term and reliable partnership with Vietnam under all circumstances, said Mr Bolot.

He described the recent start of negotiations on a new and ambitious cooperation partnership agreement between the two sides as clear evidence of deeper bilateral relations in future.

Fiona Lappin, head of the UK Department for International Development (DFID), reminded the government of the necessity to reduce poverty amongst ethnic minority groups, new poor people in urban areas and displaced farmers.

James Kember, New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam, shared her view, saying the government should have policies to ensure that minority groups benefit from education, health care and infrastructure development programmes.  

Donors welcomed Vietnam’s endorsement of the ACCRA Action Plan on aid harmonisation and effectiveness. Allaster Cox, Australian ambassador to Vietnam, said Vietnam has set a bright example in using foreign aid effectively. The crux of the matter is that the country should make practical changes in implementing aid programmes at the ministerial and local levels.

Government officials and donors reviewed progress made in public administrative reform and the fight against corruption, and acknowledged that this is a long-term fight, requiring a greater effort and stronger commitment from the Government. Donors welcomed Vietnam’s anti-corruption strategy and its decision to ratify the UN Convention against Corruption.

They also welcomed Vietnam’s national target programme on climate change and hoped that it would be carried out very soon.