Chairman Tran Sy Thanh recently had a meeting with Ms. Mariam J. Sherman, Country Director of the World Bank for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The meeting came as Hanoi is actively pushing forward major infrastructure projects, especially its urban rail system.

At the meeting, Sherman praised Hanoi’s thorough preparations and open spirit of cooperation. She noted that the World Bank is currently working with Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction on tasks related to sustainable urban planning, green space conservation, and urban landscape protection.

The municipal leader stressed the critical importance of the project, stating, “Hanoi Station is the strategic center of the North. If the entire line isn’t developed in sync, it simply won’t work.” He said Hanoi has assigned the Department of Construction to serve as the technical focal point, while also agreeing with the World Bank’s view that close coordination with central ministries and agencies is essential to keep the project on track.

Sherman expressed strong agreement and noted that the World Bank team was working step by step to help accelerate progress. She also suggested clarifying the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders to enhance implementation efficiency.

The exchange underscored a shared vision, aligned solutions, and a proactive mindset between the two sides. Ms. Sherman called this the right time to pick up the pace and affirmed the World Bank’s readiness to work more closely with Hanoi’s departments and agencies.

On financial resources, Chairman Thanh said the city has created a dedicated mechanism and is ready to front-load funding for components within its authority. Hanoi’s approach, he emphasized, is to act decisively and coordinate closely with development partners, including the World Bank.
“The government is pushing hard and expects localities to act quickly and effectively. Any party that lags behind will be left out of the national implementation process,” he said, underscoring the high-level political commitment behind Hanoi’s major infrastructure efforts.

Chairman Thanh also proposed that the World Bank boost direct ties with city department leaders to ensure clear communication and smooth coordination, avoiding breakdowns in inter-agency workflows.

The WB official also applauded Hanoi’s proactive approach, openness, and strong sense of urgency. “I understand that each country has its own coordination practices, but meetings like today help both sides understand each other better and solve problems faster,” she said.

The WB official also applauded Hanoi’s proactive approach, openness, and strong sense of urgency. She noted that while each country has its own coordination practices, direct meetings like this one could help both sides understand each other better and resolve issues more efficiently.

She added that the World Bank hopes to organize additional technical sessions with Hanoi’s departments in the near future to deal with specific coordination challenges, technical bottlenecks, and areas in need of support.

At the close of the meeting, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh presented  Sherman with a mother-of-pearl-inlaid lotus emblem as a token of appreciation for the World Bank’s trusted partnership and continued support for the capital’s development.

Mariam Sherman, new World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

VOV.VN - The World Bank has appointed Ms. Mariam Sherman as the new Country Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, effective May 1, 2024.