WB’s Vietnam Development Report 2019 launched

The Vietnam Development Report (VDR) 2019: Connecting Vietnam for Growth and Shared Prosperity is launched in Hanoi on January 15. (Photo: VNA)

The report is a series of flagship analytical and policy reports by the WB in Vietnam.

In his remarks at the launching event, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said the government of Vietnam wants experts to continue bringing out solutions for developing trade infrastructure.

Most of the ideas currently focus on North-South connectivity, he said, adding Vietnam already had North-South railway, Highway 1A and Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the country is developing North-South Expressway and North-South High Speed Railway.

“Vietnam hopes to see more for East-West connectivity to foster the development of marine economy following the already-announced Marine Strategy,” he continued, saying the government expects the WB can help Vietnam in this matter.

Minister of Investment and Planning Nguyen Chi Dung said with a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional approach, the report provides policy makers and stakeholders with development policy options and investment strategies to enhance Vietnam’s connectivity to promote inclusive development and enhance climate resilience.

“Connectivity is such a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional concept that is not just about physical infrastructure but also about space for economic activities, the availability and capacity,” Dung noted.

It presents a comprehensive overview of connectivity issues in Vietnam, said WB Country Director Ousmane Dione. It uses a set of new analyzing tools and methods to give policy options and investment strategies to support Vietnam's integration into global and domestic markets, spatial inclusion, and resilience, he added.

The report outlines nine key recommendations across four priority areas regarding global market integration, domestic market connectivity, inclusive connectivity and climate resilience improvement.