Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng (right) received Christine Largarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the Reunification Palace in HCM City yesterday. – VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HCM CITY (VNS) — Việt Nam hopes for continued support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng said during a reception for the fund’s Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Hồ Chí Minh City on March 18.
The party chief expressed his delight over the co-operation between Việt Nam and the IMF, especially in policy consultancy as well as increasing human resource quality and management capacity, which has contributed to the country’s socio-economic development and international integration.
General Secretary Trọng briefed the IMF director about Việt Nam’s plans to raise growth quality, labour productivity and economic competitiveness capacity, as well as restructuring the economy.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde spoke highly of Việt Nam’s socio-economic achievements, particularly in maintaining macro-economic stability, curbing inflation, improving education quality and fostering sustainable growth.
She had faith that Việt Nam would speed up its programme of comprehensive reforms in the banking system, state-owned enterprises and the business climate; implement efficient fiscal policies; while encouraging greater women’s involvement in the socio-economic development process.
The IMF will provide technical support and consultancy for Việt Nam in consolidating its fiscal policy, ensuring public debt safety, enhancing the management of the macro-economy and the finance-banking system to support sustainable growth, she said.

HCMC should focus on transport

Hồ Chí Minh City should focus on developing public transport, and invest more in infrastructure, suggested Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde.
The IMF leader made the recommendation when received by the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Thanh Phong yesterday.
She also proposed forming a “business consultancy council” which includes successful entrepreneurs, because they can efficiently spread the city’s investment policies among investors.
Phong said that Hồ Chí Minh City is concentrating on attracting investment in information technology, electronics, mechanics, rubber and plastic, and food processing.
During its development process, the city will strive for sustainable economic growth and include environmental protection, social welfare and security and security in economic development, he said.
Phong said they also hoped to increase the competitiveness of the city, enterprises and products, including helping businesses meet export markets’ requirements.
The city is encouraging investors to participate in infrastructure upgrading, and using official development assistance in urban planning such as water resources improvement, he added. — VNS