Slow ODA disbursement hampers Vietnam
Slow ODA disbursement is badly affecting Vietnam’s credibility and development according to a workshop on ODA programmes heard on October 18 in Hanoi. The problems were discussed at the workshop on accelerating the implementation and disbursement of ODA programmes and projects. According to the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong, for the first nine months, only USD2.68bn out of USD4.9bn in ODA and preferential loans was disbursed. The disbursement rate is only equal to 81.4% of last year’s. While the disbursement rates in Hanoi and HCM City and projects under Ministry of Transport is high, it is really low in other provinces including Quang Ninh, Hung Yen and other agencies such as the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Education and Training. Even major projects that can affect the regional and the development of several provinces have slow disbursement rates. The Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management project supported by the World Bank or an Italian project to improve the flood forecasting system have their funds slowly dispensed.
