The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) has actively applied international knowledge and experience to better ability of auditors and improve efficiency of its operation in new auditing fields, said Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc.

Speaking at a roundtable conference with development partners jointly held by the SAV and the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam in Hanoi on June 25, Phoc highlighted the role played by the SAV in enhancing the accountability and transparency of the Government in managing public finance and fighting corruption. 

According to the Auditor General, the SAV has received strong support, great resources and technical assistance from development partners through technical assistance projects and ODA capital auditing programmes in Vietnam. Its development partners include the WB, the European Union (EU), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF). 

The SAV is focusing resources to complete the goals of the SAV development strategy until 2020 and orientations for the sector in the time to come, he said.

Phoc affirmed the SAV’s commitment and top priority for the above-mentioned activities to develop it into a modern and professional State audit agency. 

The SAV appreciated experience from audit agencies in developed countries as well as recent support provided by international organisations, he stressed.

Fily Sissoko, Manager, Governance Global Practice for the East Asia Region at the WB, said the conference offers a good chance for the SAV and its partners to discuss and seek measures to enhance  cooperation in a more practical and effective manner in the future. 

The WB has two important priorities related to breakthrough technology and environmental auditing, which are in line with Vietnam’s national partnership strategy. 

Tran Kim Loc, Director of the SAV’s Department of International Cooperation, said the sector will give priority to establishing new auditing fields which will focus on land, natural resources, minerals and environment-related auditing. 

It will also pay due attention to promoting the application of high-technology and information technology in managing and supporting auditing activities.