World Bank President Robert Zoellick has said Vietnam was one of the countries using WB capital most effectively and the bank will continue to assist the nation in the coming time.

The WB leader made the statement while working with Vietnamese Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc, who is on a five-day working visit to the US from Monday.

Zoellick praised Vietnam for its achievements in socio-economic development, implementation of Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction.

Minister Phuc expressed thanks to the WB’s assistance to Vietnam over the past time and wished to continue to receive more helps from the world’s biggest development bank to implement its socio-economic development strategy and plan in the 2011-2015 period.

The two sides agreed to boost cooperation in the future, focusing on developing economic infrastructure and human resource, along with in raising institutional capacity, poverty reduction and healthcare and education support.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in cooping with climate change and boost Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the areas of energy and infrastructure.

The two sides discussed a plan to celebrate the 35th anniversary of ties between Vietnam and the WB in 2011.

During the current visit, the Vietnamese Minister also met with officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the meeting, they exchanged views on prospects of global economic development and Vietnam’s economy.

They also mentioned challenges to Vietnam’s economy in the future, especially when the country emerges as a nation with an average income.

Meeting with officials of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Minister Phuc spoke highly of USAID’s assistance to Vietnam over the past time, especially in HIV/AIDs control, implementing WTO commitments, raising competitive capacity and developing education and training.

Phuc asked the USAID to continue its assistance in those areas in parallel with expanding cooperation to other fields and facilitating US investors to take part in PPP projects in Vietnam.

He also had discussions with US enterprises under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council and joined in investment promotion activities in Nevada and California states.

The Vietnamese Minister visited and had working sessions with Boeing and Microsoft.

During those working sessions, Minister Phuc introduced Vietnam’s investment climate, answered questions by US enterprises and discussed measure to solve difficulties facing US businesses operating in Vietnam.

Those meetings and discussions were aimed at boosting understanding and attracting investment into Vietnam.

Source: VNA