Infrastructure Asia seeks to strengthen cooperation with localities in Vietnam, including Hanoi, in addressing urban issues of water provision, wastewater treatment, logistics, and energy development.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Lien Ha

Lavan Thiru, Executive Director of Infrastructure Asia - a project facilitation office set up by Enterprise Singapore and the Monetary Authority of Singapore - stressed the view in a meeting with Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Le Hong Son on June 23 in Hanoi.

At the meeting, Lavan Thiru made a brief presentation on the role of Infrastructure Asia, emphasizing that it is an entity established by the Singapore government which supports Asia's social and economic growth through infrastructure development.

In this regard, Infrastructure Asia could support Hanoi in the search for consultants and partners in urban development, as well as in accessing capital from financial institutions.

For his part, Hanoi’s vice mayor Son said the city is looking for support from Infrastructure Asia, especially in the execution of major infrastructure projects.

Son pointed out that the city expects to have a high level of competitiveness and a level of development comparable to the capitals of the region by 2030.

By 2045, Hanoi would become a global city operating under smart and green models, which are similar to Singapore.

To realize these goals, Son noted experience from Infrastructure Asia is valuable for Hanoi, including efforts to improve the quality of decision making, state governance, and human resources.

Also at the meeting, experts from both sides discussed issues of mutual interests such as policy framework, management capacity, financial potential, human resource development and possible areas of cooperation in the early stages.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the city People's Committee assigned the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs to act as the focal point for exchanging  information between the two sides so as to build a cooperation model in the future.