Vietnam donors pledge $3.4 bln in aid for 2005
HANOI - Donors pledged on Thursday to provide $3.4 billion in development aid to communist Vietnam, up from $2.8 billion in 2004, Vietnam's Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc said."Your aid is of great value to us", Phuc told a group of donor nations and multi-lateral organisations in Hanoi. Despite one of the fastest growing economies in Asia -- expanding at an average 7 percent a year -- Vietnam still relies on foreign help to build schools, clinics, roads and power grids. Hanoi said about 9 percent of its 82 million people live in poverty.
Reuters - December 2, 2004
Vietnam appeals for donor help in push for WTO membership
Vietnam has appealed to international donors for more aid, as it aims for membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister, Vu Khoan, says donor help will be needed if WTO membership is to be achieved in December next year. He says it is vital Vietnam's economy survives the tough competition after integration. He says assistance from donors is very much needed.
The deputy prime minister was addressing several hundred representatives of donor countries and organisations at an annual meeting in Hanoi.The World Bank says donors are likely to pledge $US2.8 billion in aid for 2005. Vietnam's Planning and Investment Minister, Vo Hong Phuc, told the meeting Vietnam needs to implement strong measures to increase its competitiveness. More than 26 per cent of the country's 82 million people still live below the internationally-defined poverty line.
ABC Radio Australia - December 2, 2004
International donors meet in Vietnam
Vietnam asked international aid donors Wednesday to open their wallets wider to help the communist country achieve its development goals over the next five years. During the opening of the annual Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan hailed Vietnam's successes in poverty reduction and growth, which has averaged 7.4 percent over the past four years. But he also warned against complacency.
"The danger of lagging behind economically still exists," he said. "Therefore, fast and sustainable development should remain as our top priority in the next five years." Khoan asked the donors to commit more to the country's development. Pledges for 2005 were expected to be announced Thursday.
The meeting is a chance for international donors to sit down with Vietnamese leaders and map out where they want the country to go socially and economically. Last year, Vietnam received US$2.8 billion (euro2.2 billion) in aid. Donors have repeatedly pushed for reducing widespread corruption and increasing transparency and legal and economic reforms. They also have called for more efficient disbursement of funds so that the people in greatest need can benefit. In 2003, Vietnam disbursed about 18 percent of its pledges, up from 13 percent in 2002, according to the World Bank.
Klaus Rohland, World Bank country representative for Vietnam, praised the country for its progress in 2004. He said as the meeting commenced on World AIDS Day that Vietnam should focus on curbing the disease, which affects an estimated 250,000 people. The media were only permitted to cover the opening remarks, and the meeting was closed.
The Associated Press - December 01, 2004
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