National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 7 for a delegation from the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (the Parliamentary Network) led by its Vice President Soukri Cherif.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan addresses the meeting

Showing her delight at the effective cooperation between Vietnam and the WB, the top legislator said that Vietnam needs the support of the international community, including the bank, to fulfill its goals amidst many difficulties and challenges.

She affirmed that the NA of Vietnam will closely supervise the management and use of WB assistance, ensuring it is used effectively to bring added value to the local socio-economic development.

She also spoke highly of the cooperation and support that the WB has given to NA agencies, which she said helped improve the legislature’s supervision over finance, budget and economy.

She lauded the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the WB and the NA Finance and Budget Committee in 2017, aiming to enhance the committee’s capacity in monitoring financial and budgetary issues.

Over the past years, the WB has also given consultations to Vietnam on important strategic issues, she added.

Ngan proposed the WB continue aiding Vietnam in building and completing legal framework to stabilise the macro economy, promote growth, develop human resources and ensure social harmony and sustainable use of natural resources.

She asked for the WB’s assistance for major infrastructure, human resources development and climate change response projects.

She also called for support from the Parliamentary Network’s members to activities of the WB and IMF in Vietnam.

Hailing the Parliamentary Network as a bridge to enhance cooperation channels among parliaments, Ngan stressed that the Vietnamese NA is ready to join and make active contributions to the network. 

The host discussed with the network’s parliamentarians about gender equality, job creation for women and young people, changes to tax policy once the WB cuts investment assistance, population aging, public debt limit, the legislature’s role in budget allocation, climate change response, the NA’s supervisory role and relations between the law-making body and the government. 

According to her, the rate of Vietnamese female lawmakers reaches 26.7 percent, still below the targeted 30 percent. 

Vice President of the Parliamentary Network Soukri Cherif and WB Country Director in Vietnam Ousmane Dione thanked NA Chairwoman Ngan for practical discussions. 

Dione said the working trip is part of cooperation programmes between WB, IMF and member nations, adding that the discussed matters will be reflected in the next agenda.

The delegation comprises parliamentarians from Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Morocco, Myanmar, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine. 

The delegation will visit on-going projects in Vietnam and discuss with leaders of State agencies and representatives from the private sector during the four-day trip. 

Founded in 2000 with the engagement of parliamentarians from over 140 countries, the Parliamentary Network seeks to engage lawmakers from around the globe in the common mission of addressing good governance and poverty challenges in both their home countries and abroad.-VNA