The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has organized a three-day workshop in Hanoi to train 30 officials of Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) in project management with a focus on procurement skills. This workshop was organized under the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MoF and JICA to increase MoF staff’s capacity in public financial management. The course is specifically designed for officials to systemize basic steps in project cycle management, with customized case studies and team work. It also focuses on procurement skills and procedures as well as experience-sharing on settlement related to specific circumstances. Mr. Nagase Toshio, senior representative of JICA Vietnam, said that theoretical and practical knowledge on project cycle management is helpful for the Vietnamese officials to properly manage public investment. Limited state management capacity, rampant corruption, incomprehensive infrastructure and technology and environmental issues are all big barriers to Vietnam’s economic development. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.03% last year, the lowest level in the recent thirteen years. (qdnd.vn Mar 21)
