Many railway projects are of interest to the World Bank, evaluating the possibility of capital support.

This afternoon (February 5), Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy received and worked with Ms. Kathy Whimp, Executive Director of Project Operations in Vietnam of the World Bank (WB).

Thanking the Deputy Minister for taking the time to receive the delegation, Ms. Kathy Whimp said that recently, the WB delegation conducted a survey of railway projects that are preparing for investment that the WB is interested in funding, assessing the readiness of the projects and the ability to provide financial support.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy and Ms. Kathy Whimp, Executive Director of Project Operations of the WB, discussed at the working session.

According to Ms. Kathy Whimp, it is expected that in mid-March 2024, the President of the World Bank and the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will visit Hanoi .

One option under consideration is to announce a commitment by two banks to support the development of Vietnam's railway sector, including co-financing one or two projects.

"The World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Infrastructure Director will visit Hanoi in mid-February to discuss this issue further.

Therefore, the WB wishes to discuss with the Ministry of Transport to clarify information about the railway projects: Hanoi Eastern Belt Railway Project; Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Railway Project; Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho Railway Project; Railway Traffic Safety Project", the WB representative shared.

At the meeting, the WB requested clarification of the possibility of affecting the preparation progress of the above 4 railway projects when the Railway Network Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, is being reviewed and adjusted, and regional and detailed plans are being studied and developed.

"Vietnam also needs to implement some reforms in ODA project management to prepare ODA projects effectively and quickly, such as: eliminating the project proposal process for projects using domestic capital to prepare pre-feasibility studies (Pre-Fs), then switching to ODA projects; increasing the ceiling for projects whose investment policies are approved by the National Assembly; allowing the use of ODA loans for research activities and institutional strengthening, and some equipment.

Besides, it is necessary to reconcile the differences between WB policies and Vietnamese laws, especially the issue of compensation and resettlement support policies," the WB representative suggested.

The members of the WB delegation also raised a number of technical issues that need to be clarified for specific projects such as: Design to ensure accessibility for non-motorized traffic participants (pedestrians...) with the railway traffic safety project; Investment form for the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau railway project.

Regarding the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway project, the WB delegation requested clarification of the investment plan for each phase...

The WB requested the Ministry of Transport to clarify the implementation plan of railway projects as a basis for considering the possibility of financial support (Photo: illustration).

Agreeing with some assessments and comments of the WB, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy affirmed that the 4 projects proposed by the Ministry of Transport for ODA funding from the WB have been planned.

The planning adjustment does not affect the project schedule.

Regarding the WB's proposals and recommendations for each project, the leaders of the Ministry of Transport assigned units to study them carefully.

"The Railway Project Management Board and Project Management Board 2 plan the progress and specific implementation time of each project in compliance with current Vietnamese laws.

In case there are any improvement policies that can shorten the time, it needs to be clarified to have a basis for reporting to competent authorities," Deputy Minister Huy requested, at the same time affirming that the Ministry of Transport will closely coordinate with the WB to be able to implement the next steps, promoting the cooperation process of railway projects.

"The Ministry of Transport hopes that the WB will provide a technical support package to evaluate the Pre-Fs of the four mentioned railway projects," Deputy Minister Huy suggested.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to maintain information exchange and regular meetings to reach consensus on contents, ensuring the realization of cooperation projects.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/nhieu-du-an-duong-sat-duoc-ngan-hang-the-gioi-quan-tam-danh-gia-kha-nang-ho-tro-von-192240205184341972.htm