Hanoi appreciates the World Bank (WB)’s assistance and collaboration in improving local people’s living standards and developing urban infrastructure, particularly in transport, stated the city’s leader.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (R) and WB Vice President for Infrastructure Makhtar Diop 

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung made the statement at a working session with WB Vice President for Infrastructure Makhtar Diop in Hanoi on February 20.

At the function, Chung mentioned two major priorities in the city’s urban transport development plan: optimising the use of transport routes and increasing investment in linking key routes to the belt system; and investing in major infrastructure like bus rapid transit (BRT) and metro systems.

According to the municipal leader, in its development strategy for 2016 – 2020, Hanoi focuses on building its urban transport by spending up to 32 percent of its annual budget and by calling for private involvement and ODA funding.

Chung requested the WB continue supporting the capital city in studying its three remaining BRT routes and expanding more roads to connect local apartment complexes.

Congratulating Hanoi on its achievements in improving infrastructure and people’s living standards over the last decade, Diop affirmed that urban transport development plays an important role in the city’s growth strategy toward better living standards and competitiveness.

Noting that the WB has actively cooperated and assisted Hanoi in the work, particularly the development of BRT and railway projects, he stated the bank wants to continue to be a trustworthy partner of the city.

The WB is willing to stand side by side with Hanoi in the above-said projects and in other fields such as metro system building, water resources management and wastewater treatment.-VNA