The Government leader proposed that the World Bank (WB) prioritize capital support for Vietnam to develop strategic transport infrastructure, including the North-South high-speed railway.
Receiving Ms. Carolyn Turk, Country Director of the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam on the afternoon of October 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that this agency have many methods and models to provide and manage flexible funding for Vietnam.
In addition to the North-South high-speed railway, the Prime Minister asked the WB to prioritize capital support for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway; the Hanoi - Hoa Lac railway; renewable energy projects; smart agriculture, low carbon emissions; digital transformation; and climate change response in the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam still has a lot of room for new ODA loans because public debt, government debt, and state budget deficit are well controlled and within the allowable threshold.
The Head of Government highly appreciated the WB's contribution to Vietnam's socio-economic development since 1993 through policy advice and financial support for ODA projects and preferential loans.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Ms. Carolyn Turk, Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam, on the afternoon of October 27. Photo: Nhat Bac
In response, Ms. Carolyn Turk agreed with the orientation of implementing projects with focus and key points. The WB highly appreciated Vietnam's vision and commitment, including responding to climate change and reducing emissions. If the program of one million hectares of high-quality and low-carbon rice is successful, Vietnam will be a leader in this field.
Ms. Carolyn Turk also proposed solutions to remove obstacles when implementing large-scale projects. The WB will coordinate with Vietnam, especially in the areas mentioned by the Prime Minister.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to set up a working group to review and simplify processes and procedures to shorten project implementation time. The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang to remove obstacles, promote projects and disburse WB capital.
The Politburo's conclusion in March set a target of completing approval of the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project by 2025 and starting construction before 2030. The Hanoi-Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang high-speed railway sections are given priority to start construction in the 2026-2030 period; striving to complete the entire North-South high-speed railway route before 2045.
There are currently two high-speed railway options. In February 2019, the Ministry of Transport submitted to the Government a pre-feasibility report on the North-South high-speed railway project passing through 20 provinces and cities. This is a double-track, 1,435 mm gauge, electrified line, with a design speed of 350 km/h and an operating speed of 320 km/h.
At the end of 2022, the Project Appraisal Consultant pointed out some disadvantages of investing in a 350 km/h railway and proposed a plan to carry both passengers and freight, with an operating speed of 225 km/h for passenger trains and 160 km/h for freight trains, with an investment capital of more than 61 billion USD. The Government Party Committee and the State Appraisal Council have requested the Ministry of Transport to further study this plan.
The high-speed railway project to carry both passengers and freight was proposed by the project appraisal consultant. Graphics: Ta Lu
Vnexpress.net
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