VietNamNet Bridge – The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will assist Vietnam in equitising state-owned commercial banks and strengthening capacity for small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a leading IFC official said.

IFC Vice Executive President and CEO Larc Thunell made the commitment while he was being received by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung in Hanoi on October 24.

Thunell also said that the IFC is willing to help Vietnam cope with the challenges facing its economy and will continue to invest in infrastructure development in the country, adding that Vietnam is on the right track in dealing with issues faced by the economy in the recent past.

Deputy PM Hung thanked the IFC, a member of the World Bank, for its efficient assistance in terms of financial resources and consultancy on policies to Vietnam. He also said the group plays an important role and has actively participated in boosting the development of SMEs in Vietnam.

Over the past nine months, the measures taken by the Vietnamese government to curb inflation, stabilise the macro economy and ensure social welfare have paid off, Hung said.

He added that Vietnam is working hard to gain the initiative in the fight against the negative impacts of the global financial crisis and is actively preparing all resources to overcome economic difficulties.

(Source: VNA)