Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his wish for international donors to continue cooperating with Vietnam during its development at the meeting of the Consultative Group for Vietnam in Hanoi on December 10.

Themed “Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Development”, the event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh and World Bank Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa.

Addressing the event, Dung also spoke highly of the drastic and comprehensive measures taken to rein in inflation, stabilise the macro-economy and ensure social welfare. Vietnam has seen a positive change in socio-economic performance with this year’s estimated GDP growth of 5.2 percent and inflation remaining at 7.5 percent.

However, amid global economic turmoil, Dung also highlighted challenges faced by Vietnam ’s economy, including unsteady inflation control and macro-economic performances, social welfare policy and programmes to reduce poverty and create jobs. In addition, salary reforms are yet to meet demand, and there is slow equitisation of State-owned enterprises and unimproved economic competitiveness.

These challenges stimulate flexible and effective management in the Government as it mobilises domestic and foreign resources to remove obstacles in the short-term. On the other hand, the Government will also prepare conditions for higher growth next year and create a foundation for sustainable development over the long term, Dung said.

According to him, to reach socio-economic development goals, Vietnam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs in line with restructuring the economy. They include renewing growth models in a sustainable manner, gradually improving business competitiveness, and enriching the economic and social environment to attract resources and stimulate growth and development.

Vietnam will increase leadership efficiency in combination with reforming administrative procedures, clamping down on corruption and wastefulness, and maintaining political stability, social order and safety, he added.

Vinh said 2013 is a core year to implement the 2011–2015 socio-economic development plan, and is forecast to remain a tough year not only for Vietnam but donor countries also.

He pledged to continue working closely with donors to step up the progress of projects, enhance the efficiency of the use of official development assistance and improve dialogue as ODA is crucial to reducing poverty in Vietnam .

Kwakwa said the event will air significant issues in the development of Vietnam , including high-quality human resources training and the management and use of land.

On behalf of the donors, she vowed to stand side-by-side with Vietnam during its development.