HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese Government will continue to increase co-operation with the World Bank, especially in coping with climate change and saltwater intrusion, improving public administration and the investment climate, and fighting corruption.
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, who was sworn in on Thursday, made the remarks Saturday at a Hà Nội reception for Victoria Kwakwa, the World Bank Country Director in Việt Nam.
Việt Nam appreciated the support and consultation of the World Bank in general, and of Country Director Victoria Kwakwa in particular, and regarded the bank as a reliable partner and great friend of the country, the Prime Minister said.
The Government leader suggested the two sides increase the exchange of information to improve collaboration and efficiency.
For her part, Victoria Kwakwa congratulated Phúc on his election as Prime Minister and on the National Assembly approval of the new Cabinet members.
She affirmed that the World Bank attached importance to its co-operative ties with Việt Nam and hoped the new Prime Minister would work to elevate bilateral co-operation to new heights.
The official noted that the bank was keen to co-operate with the Vietnamese Government in coping with climate change, developing the private economic sector, and enhancing the Government’s accountability and anti-corruption measures.
She expressed her deep concern over the severe ongoing drought and saltwater intrusion in the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta. She also said that the bank had been supporting Việt Nam in dealing with these issues, so that the country could adapt more effectively to climate change and mitigate related damages.
As for the development of the private economic sector, Kwakwa advised the Vietnamese Government to step up institutional reform and create an equal footing for all types of businesses, thus helping them connect with global value chains. These steps will prove especially useful now, while the country negotiates in preparation for joining a number of international free trade agreement initiatives.
The bank was willing to provide financial and advisory expertise and support for Việt Nam to develop its private economic sector, she added.

First guest  

Prime Minister Phúc met Japanese Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi – the first guest of the new government – during a reception in Hà Nội on Saturday.
The leader informed his guest that the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the appointment of 21 Cabinet members, on the morning of the same day.
He assured the ambassador that he and his cabinet members would attend the extended G7 Summit in Japan this May, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Phúc expressed hope that during the event, Japan would hold bilateral meetings with Việt Nam to extensively discuss ways to boost the Việt Nam – Japan strategic partnership.

During the reception, Phúc also called for increased dialogue and mutual support at regional and global forums, for the sake of peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region and the world.
The ambassador hopes that the Vietnamese and Japanese Prime Ministers will hold talks to strengthen economic ties on the sidelines, during the expanded G7 event.
Sympathising with the Vietnamese Government and people over the serious impacts of disasters, especially serious saltwater intrusion in the central, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta regions, Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi said the Japanese government wanted to help Việt Nam improve its ability to deal with extreme weather phenomena.
Japan was also keen on collaborating with Việt Nam to improve public administration management and the business climate, he said. He added that both sides were preparing for an investment promotion forum in Hà Nội. — VNS