The Hanoi Times - The Government of Vietnam launched a website, created with American assistance, o­n December 30th that will dramatically enhance administrative reform in Vietnam.

The website will enable public officials, entrepreneurs, and private citizens to participate in an ambitious three-year project to eliminate cumbersome administrative procedures that hinder business operations and growth.

The website, www.thutuchanhchinh.vn, provides timely information about the Prime Minister’s Master Plan for Administrative Procedure Simplification in the field of State Management for the period of 2007 – 2010 (entitled Project 30). The website was developed with funding and technical support from the United States Government through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

This unique interactive tool serves as a portal where agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals can read about progress o­n administrative reform, and participate directly with reviews of the Project. Individuals will be able to suggest o­n-line ways to amend, add, or eliminate procedures that are creating obstacles as businesses seek to invest and expand.

“We commend the Prime Minister and his Special Task Force for their foresight and leadership in using information technology to create valuable partnerships between public officials, entrepreneurs, and citizens to help sustain Vietnam’s economic growth,” US Ambassador Michael W. Michalak stated at the launching ceremony.

The Administrative Procedure Reform (APR) website is the public’s window into Project 30, which is comprised of three stages designed to enhance governmental effectiveness and transparency. By mid-2009, the Special Task Force will complete an inventory of administrative procedures used at all levels of government. From mid-2009 to mid-2010, officials will review procedures based o­n their legality, necessity, and reasonableness. Finally, during 2010, the government will publish a centralized database of administrative procedures o­n the Internet for public access and comment.