APEC 2017: AIIB wants to help Da Nang develop infrastructure

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) wants to boost cooperation in infrastructure investment with Da Nang so as to help promote the development of the central city of Vietnam, AIIB President Jin Liqun told local officials on November 8.

The meeting between Secretary of the Da Nang municipal Party Committee Truong Quang Nghia (R) and AIIB President Jin Liqun on November 8. (Credit: danang.gov.vn)
The meeting between Secretary of the Da Nang municipal Party Committee Truong Quang Nghia (R) and AIIB President Jin Liqun on November 8. (Credit: danang.gov.vn)

Talking to Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Truong Quang Nghia, the AIIB leader, who was in Da Nang to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, said rapid urbanisation and strong development in many aspects have required infrastructure to be expanded in Da Nang.

Compared to many other localities, Da Nang’s infrastructure has been built in a relatively methodological and synchronous manner. However, problems will soon arise and local advantages and beauty will be affected if infrastructure is not further upgraded, he said.

Jin noted that AIIB is interested in major projects of Da Nang because of their feasibility and the city’s sound management of previous loans.

Aside from big transport projects, the bank is also ready to invest in electricity and water supply projects and developing the western area of Da Nang if the city has demand, he added.

Introducing local achievements, Secretary Nghia highlighted the synchronous construction of infrastructure, rapid urbanisation and socio-economic development of Da Nang over the last two decades.

He thanked the AIIB President’s attention to local infrastructure projects, noting that Da Nang will soon provide information about those projects so as to enhance development cooperation.

On November 7, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Huynh Duc Tho met with World Economic Forum (WEF) Managing Director Philipp Rosler, who was also taking part in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the city.

Rosler said he is impressed with Da Nang’s accomplishments, especially in infrastructure development and tourism growth, congratulating the city on being chosen as the venue for the Week.

Chairman Tho asked the WEF Managing Director to connect international businesses who are interested in investing in the city’s prioritised areas like information technology, high technology, health care, education, tourism and logistics.

He proposed his guest consider choosing his city to hold the upcoming WEF on East Asia.

Rosler valued the proposal, noting that he and the WEF managing board will consider this idea with reference to the Vietnamese Government. He added Da Nang is suitable for organising this important event.