HÀ NỘI — The World Bank stands ready to support and cooperate with Việt Nam in many spheres like climate change response and renewable energy development, WB Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg said on Wednesday.

At an online working session with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, Trotsenburg affirmed that the relationship between Việt Nam and the WB is developing strongly, saying the bank is willing to engage in flexible exchanges amid COVID-19 to further boost the links.

The WB leader expressed his sympathy over the huge losses caused by recent floods in Việt Nam’s central region, and praised the country’s efforts in containing the pandemic while maintaining economic growth.

Minh said Việt Nam treasures the valuable and effective support of the WB and Trotsenburg himself to Việt Nam over the past time.

The Vietnamese Government always considers the bank an important development partner, he said, adding that many WB-funded projects and policy consultations have significantly contributed to the national socio-economic development.

Minh called on the WB to continue its development financial aid and accompany Việt Nam in policy and development orientation making in the future, particularly in building the socio-economic development plan and the mid-term public investment plan for 2021-25.

Appreciating the bank’s non-refundable aid worth US$6.2 million for Việt Nam in the fight against COVID-19, the official suggested it gives more resources to the country in this regard.

He also proposed the WB closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to remove bottlenecks in the disbursement of the loans from the bank and other donors in Việt Nam. — VNS