Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called for more financial assistance from the World Bank (WB) in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, during his virtual meeting with Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (center) has an online
meeting with World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg
on November 4, 2020. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh 

He affirmed Viet Nam always treasures and highly appreciate the effective cooperation of the WB in general and Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg for Viet Nam.

The Vietnamese Government always considers the international lender as an important development friend and partner which has made important contributions to socio-economic development in the Southeast Asian nation, according to Deputy PM, FM Minh said.

He called for WB's more financial support and policy recommendations for the country's development process, especially when the country is drafting socio-economic development plan and the medium-term public investment plan in the 2021-2025 period.

The host leader suggested the WB closely work with Vietnamese relevant ministries and agencies to remove barriers in disbursement of ODA projects in Viet Nam.

Deputy PM Minh affirmed that the Government would further coordinate with the lender in reviewing and updating the country partnership framework for the 2018-2021 period, making it match the latest situation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, while proposing a development partnership framework for 2022-2025.

Appreciating the bank’s non-refundable aid worth US$ 6.2 million for Viet Nam in the COVID-19 fight, Minh asked the WB to provide more resources for the country on this field.  

Amidst the increasing energy demand, Viet Nam would like to receive more support from the WB through specific projects, focusing on such fields as energy efficient distribution, transmission network expansion and power access in disadvantaged areas, said the Deputy PM.

In reply, Trotsenburg said the WB stands ready to support and cooperate with Viet Nam in many areas including climate change response and renewable energy development.

The WB leader stressed that that the relationship between Viet Nam and the WB is developing fruitfully, saying the bank is willing to engage in flexible exchanges amidst COVID-19 to further boost the links.

He also expressed his sympathies over the huge losses caused by recent floods in Viet Nam’s central region, and hailed the country’s efforts in containing the pandemic while maintaining economic growth./.