Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi received Ms. Carolyn Turk - World Bank Country Director in Vietnam on November 4th at the headquarters of the Ministry of Construction, with the presence of leaders of Departments and Agencies under the MoC.
The whole reception
Ms Carolyn Turk expressed her pleasure to visit and work with the MoC, and thanked Minister Nghi and leaders of units under the MoC for warmly welcome.
Ms. Carolyn said that: “WB is currently operating in many fields of urban development, upgrading urban technical infrastructure, water supply and drainage and wastewater treatment... in many localities of Vietnam. Some projects are being delayed due to problems related to design approval. Therefore, the WB wants the Ministry of Construction to consider and assist in removing difficulties and obstacles to speed up the progress of projects.”
Ms. Carolyn Turk mentioned a number of issues related to the implementation of projects using official development assistance (ODA) and concessional loans from foreign donors; some contents on implementation construction investment projects in Vietnam; proposing an overall and comprehensive approach in implementing urban development and water supply and drainage projects.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi thanked the World Bank for support and assistance Vietnam in implementing many projects in the field of urban development and urban technical infrastructure improvement, water supply and drainage, wastewater treatment in localities nationwide, especially the Urban Upgrading Project in the Mekong Delta and the Northern Mountainous Urban Program project.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi agreed with Ms. Carolyn Turk's proposal on a new, overall and comprehensive approach to implement urban development and water supply and drainage projects in Vietnam. The MoC is currently inspecting and reviewing the entire system of legal documents in the field of construction; amending and supplementing in the direction of increasing decentralization for localities; reducing related administrative procedures.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi wishes that in the coming time, the WB will strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Construction to promote the program of smart urban development in the Mekong Delta; support Vietnam in implementing the Project on sustainable smart cities development in Vietnam for the period of 2018 - 2025 and orientation to 2030, support pilot cities in developing proposals and submitting to competent authorities for approval pilot projects; promote creative urban development, urban green growth and response to climate change.
The MoC is currently building a master plan on the urban and rural system for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. Therefore, Minister Nghị proposed the WB to introduce experts to assist the Ministry of Construction in implementing this task effectively; strengthen support for Vietnam in building and perfecting the construction industry's legal policies and institutions; capacity building of urban technical infrastructure systems, water supply and drainage systems, and wastewater treatment.