Addressing the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai affirmed that maintaining macro-economic stability remains a high priority to the Government in the context of the economic slowdown. The negative impact of controlling inflation, especially on enterprises and employment, need to be addressed, and solutions have been introduced to deal with these difficulties.
While the government has focused on stabilizing the economy, it has kept the expenditures targeted towards the poor and will continue to do so, said Hai.
Macro-economy
Donors hailed the government’s efforts in successfully stabilizing the macro-economy, but some warned Vietnam should not loosen its monetary policy too swiftly as this will bring in unwanted results.
Donors and Government officials agreed that the focus should be now on speeding up the restructuring of the banking sector, state owned enterprises and public investment. They shared the view was a general sense that improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of public investment is key to sharpening Vietnam’s competitiveness and make its economy more productive.
Achieving breathroughs in sustainable poverty reduction
Participants heard an overview of the work on updating Vietnam’s Poverty Monitoring System, including strengthening VHLSS surveys (starting from 2010) and a revision of the GSO-WB poverty line. They stressed the need to integrate poverty reduction into overall development plans for the central region, strengthen institutions and policies, work closely with donors in formulation and implementation of poverty reduction projects, improve infrastructure and strengthen skills and human resources.
They also underlined the need to address land issues, particularly to ensure access to small scale farmers, and the importance of education and skills as a contributor to poverty reduction. They urged the Government to ensure that the Social Welfare Program being prepared will be developed into a strong and comprehensive one supported by both central agencies and provincial administrations.
Managing vulnerability to natural disaster
The meeting heard reports from the Central Coast Provinces on the current situation and policy issues at the national and provincial levels for Natural Disaster Risk Management.
AusAid and Oxfam representatives provided lessons and experience on Natural Disaster Risk Management approaches, from donor and NGO-supported projects and programs in the central coastal region.
They said it is necessary to encourage local participation and empowerment, especially of the private sector, share experience across provinces, coordinate all stakeholders, and integrate risk assessment into infrastructure investment planning for disaster resilience.
Development Partners complimented Vietnam for its shift away from a short-term approach towards the medium term challenges of risk management and prevention. They vowed to support the Government in this effort.
CG evolution
A thorough review of the CG process was conducted ahead of the midyear CG, and its findings as well as options for CG process evolution were presented to the participants. The participants reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the options, and discussed and provided comments to make the CG process better fit with Vietnam’s context as a middle income country.
In closing the conference, Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director for the World Bank in Vietnam and Co-Chair of the CG affirmed the donor community’s determination to support Vietnam’s development.
VOV
Donors focus on poverty reduction, disaster mitigation
Donor representatives dicsussed poverty reduction and natural disaster mitigation in central Vietnam during the mid-year Consultative Group (CG) meeting opened in Quang Tri province on June 5.
Addressing the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai affirmed that maintaining macro-economic stability remains a high priority to the Government in the context of the economic slowdown. The negative impact of controlling inflation, especially on enterprises and employment, need to be addressed, and solutions have been introduced to deal with these difficulties.
While the government has focused on stabilizing the economy, it has kept the expenditures targeted towards the poor and will continue to do so, said Hai.
Macro-economy
Donors hailed the government’s efforts in successfully stabilizing the macro-economy, but some warned Vietnam should not loosen its monetary policy too swiftly as this will bring in unwanted results.
Donors and Government officials agreed that the focus should be now on speeding up the restructuring of the banking sector, state owned enterprises and public investment. They shared the view was a general sense that improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of public investment is key to sharpening Vietnam’s competitiveness and make its economy more productive.
Achieving breathroughs in sustainable poverty reduction
Participants heard an overview of the work on updating Vietnam’s Poverty Monitoring System, including strengthening VHLSS surveys (starting from 2010) and a revision of the GSO-WB poverty line. They stressed the need to integrate poverty reduction into overall development plans for the central region, strengthen institutions and policies, work closely with donors in formulation and implementation of poverty reduction projects, improve infrastructure and strengthen skills and human resources.
They also underlined the need to address land issues, particularly to ensure access to small scale farmers, and the importance of education and skills as a contributor to poverty reduction. They urged the Government to ensure that the Social Welfare Program being prepared will be developed into a strong and comprehensive one supported by both central agencies and provincial administrations.
Managing vulnerability to natural disaster
The meeting heard reports from the Central Coast Provinces on the current situation and policy issues at the national and provincial levels for Natural Disaster Risk Management.
AusAid and Oxfam representatives provided lessons and experience on Natural Disaster Risk Management approaches, from donor and NGO-supported projects and programs in the central coastal region.
They said it is necessary to encourage local participation and empowerment, especially of the private sector, share experience across provinces, coordinate all stakeholders, and integrate risk assessment into infrastructure investment planning for disaster resilience.
Development Partners complimented Vietnam for its shift away from a short-term approach towards the medium term challenges of risk management and prevention. They vowed to support the Government in this effort.
CG evolution
A thorough review of the CG process was conducted ahead of the midyear CG, and its findings as well as options for CG process evolution were presented to the participants. The participants reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the options, and discussed and provided comments to make the CG process better fit with Vietnam’s context as a middle income country.
In closing the conference, Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director for the World Bank in Vietnam and Co-Chair of the CG affirmed the donor community’s determination to support Vietnam’s development.
VOV
Addressing the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai affirmed that maintaining macro-economic stability remains a high priority to the Government in the context of the economic slowdown. The negative impact of controlling inflation, especially on enterprises and employment, need to be addressed, and solutions have been introduced to deal with these difficulties.
While the government has focused on stabilizing the economy, it has kept the expenditures targeted towards the poor and will continue to do so, said Hai.
Macro-economy
Donors hailed the government’s efforts in successfully stabilizing the macro-economy, but some warned Vietnam should not loosen its monetary policy too swiftly as this will bring in unwanted results.
Donors and Government officials agreed that the focus should be now on speeding up the restructuring of the banking sector, state owned enterprises and public investment. They shared the view was a general sense that improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of public investment is key to sharpening Vietnam’s competitiveness and make its economy more productive.
Achieving breathroughs in sustainable poverty reduction
Participants heard an overview of the work on updating Vietnam’s Poverty Monitoring System, including strengthening VHLSS surveys (starting from 2010) and a revision of the GSO-WB poverty line. They stressed the need to integrate poverty reduction into overall development plans for the central region, strengthen institutions and policies, work closely with donors in formulation and implementation of poverty reduction projects, improve infrastructure and strengthen skills and human resources.
They also underlined the need to address land issues, particularly to ensure access to small scale farmers, and the importance of education and skills as a contributor to poverty reduction. They urged the Government to ensure that the Social Welfare Program being prepared will be developed into a strong and comprehensive one supported by both central agencies and provincial administrations.
Managing vulnerability to natural disaster
The meeting heard reports from the Central Coast Provinces on the current situation and policy issues at the national and provincial levels for Natural Disaster Risk Management.
AusAid and Oxfam representatives provided lessons and experience on Natural Disaster Risk Management approaches, from donor and NGO-supported projects and programs in the central coastal region.
They said it is necessary to encourage local participation and empowerment, especially of the private sector, share experience across provinces, coordinate all stakeholders, and integrate risk assessment into infrastructure investment planning for disaster resilience.
Development Partners complimented Vietnam for its shift away from a short-term approach towards the medium term challenges of risk management and prevention. They vowed to support the Government in this effort.
CG evolution
A thorough review of the CG process was conducted ahead of the midyear CG, and its findings as well as options for CG process evolution were presented to the participants. The participants reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the options, and discussed and provided comments to make the CG process better fit with Vietnam’s context as a middle income country.
In closing the conference, Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director for the World Bank in Vietnam and Co-Chair of the CG affirmed the donor community’s determination to support Vietnam’s development.
VOV
