The meeting comes on the heels of the high-profile Japan Transportation Consultants, Inc. (JTC) scandal in which JTC was alleged to pay several Vietnamese transport officials JPY80 million in kickbacks in return for an ODA project in Vietnam.

Vietnamese and Japanese representatives exchanged ideas, and dilated on the differing types of abuses of ODA funds that can potentially occur and the specific control measures to be deployed to detect and deter them.

They agreed that enhancing transparency is one of the strongest measures that needs to be given effect in combating corruption along with a number of other practical measures. 

There was also consensus that the measures should be timely implemented in the near future to restore confidence in the ODA funding mechanisms in Vietnam.

They agreed to hold another meeting pending results of the ongoing investigation into the JTC scandal.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong revealed that the Prime Minister has authorised Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to officially take charge of Vietnam’s investigation into the case and information will be released to the public as it develops.