Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) meets ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa in Kunming, China, on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

KUNMING — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has called on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expand its concessional funding to Việt Nam for projects that support digital transformation, green energy and cloud computing.

The request was made during a meeting between PM Chính and ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa on Wednesday in Kunming, China, in the framework of the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit.

PM Chính thanked ADB for its ongoing financial assistance, which has been instrumental in advancing socio-economic development and poverty reduction in Việt Nam over the past three decades.

Highlighting the importance of this long-standing partnership, he urged ADB to prioritise concessional financing for large-scale projects in Việt Nam, especially those in emerging sectors such as digital transformation, green energy and cloud computing.

He underscored Việt Nam’s readiness to streamline administrative procedures to facilitate the projects. Specific ones mentioned by the PM included offshore wind power and a high-speed railway.

In response, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa expressed condolences for the recent damage caused by Typhoon Yagi and commended Việt Nam's swift response and recovery efforts.

He reaffirmed ADB's commitment to supporting the country's development goals, including its pursuit of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The ADB President also acknowledged Việt Nam's vital role in the GMS and encouraged its continued active participation in ADB programmes.

He also highlighted ADB's efforts to provide more accessible financing options for member countries, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts in Việt Nam.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of accelerating ADB-funded projects in Việt Nam, with Masatsugu Asakawa urging the country to expedite the disbursement of funds to enhance economic development.

PM Chính expressed gratitude for ADB’s ongoing support and outlined plans to develop policies to facilitate lending for the private sector, aligning with ADB’s goals for regional development and sustainability. — VNS