Vietnam President, World Bank Head Discuss Drought

President Truon Tan Sang said he hopes the World Bank (WB) will support Vietnam in coping with the prolonged salt intrusion in the Mekong Delta during a meeting with WB Country Director to Vi?t Nam Victoria Kwakwa yesterday. He briefed the WB official, who came to bid farewell at the end of her tenure, about the developments of drought, salt intrusion and climate change in the delta, which has caused huge damage to the local economy and livelihoods. The president also mentioned the national program on planning canal and dyke systems to prevent salt intrusion in the delta’s cities and provinces, and proposed the WB give urgent support to the country in these projects. For her part, Kwakwa confirmed the WB will continue to coordinate with the Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to put forth effective measures to cope with climate change. She called on Vietnam to cooperate with the bank in implementing its upcoming major programs, and proposed that the President authorise agencies to negotiate on rural transport projects, dam safety, credit management and budget cuts. She took note of the president’s proposals and confirmed that she will continue to support Vietnam in the future. (Vietnam News Mar 31)