Hanoi always stands ready to cooperate with the World Bank (WB) in development projects, local media quoted Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung as saying at a working session with outgoing WB Country Director in Vietnam Ousmane Dione on June 8.

Chung said that the efforts of the municipal government and people, coupled with the help of partners, including the WB, have translated in significant improvement in living standards of Hanoi’s residents over the years.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung receives WB Country Director in Vietnam Ousmane Dione. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

Despite the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hanoi has managed to grow its economy by 3.39% in the first half of the year. In anticipation of the dwindling investment capital influx, Hanoi has received feedback from investors and removed obstacles for businesses.

Mayor Chung invited Dione to attend an investment promotion conference to be held by Hanoi on June 27, the first of its kind in Vietnam and perhaps in the world since the Covid-19 pandemic has been brought under control.

The conference is expected to help the capital city achieve the dual goal of Covid-19 containment and socio-economic development, the mayor said.

He wished O. Dione success in his new position, hoping that O. Dione will be a bridge for cooperation between Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular with other countries and partners.

For his part, O. Dione assessed that the WB’s cooperation projects are being successfully implemented in Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular. The WB has paid special attention to the fields of Hanoi’s interest, including transportation, water and air quality improvement, response to climate change, flood combating, digital conversion, among others.

Dione also hailed Vietnam and Hanoi for in the initial success in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak.

Dione attributed the achievements to concerted efforts by the public as well as drastic and sound direction from the local authorities since the first coronavirus case was identified.

He expressed his hope that the success of projects between the WB and Hanoi in building transportation infrastructure, dealing with water and air pollution, and coping with climate change would help improve the capital’s competitiveness.