Conference proposes anti-corruption measures
(VOV) -The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MoPI) and the World Bank (WB) on January 20 co-hosted a high-level conference on strengthening governance to promote development in Vietnam.
The event was designed to propose anti-corruption measures and improve the efficiency of public funds, particularly ODA funding in Vietnam.
Negative phenomena, fraud and corruption in ODA projects remain a major concern for Vietnamese management agencies and donors.
During nearly 30 years of pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, Vietnam has received approximately US$80 billion in ODA which has been primarily allocated to infrastructure development projects to upgrade transport system, seaports and airports.
Speakers said the complex and time-consuming projects have been prone to acts of corruption and fraud. However, they acknowledge the number of fraud cases were limited.
According to them, fraud and corruption have been principally found in the bidding process and relate to misrepresentation of financial capacity and experience in bidding packages or collusion among domestic firms.
Solutions were put forth with emphasis placed on reinforcing the law enforcement by complying with bidding regulations on risk management and financial procurement based on public contracts.
It is imperative to implement auditing standards, intensify supervision and inspection, impose sanctions on fraud and corruption and fine-tune institutions and policies to encourage supervision from society and media agencies for public investment and ODA projects, they said.