The World Bank (WB) works with governments in the Asia Pacific Region very closely to address the problems that the governments identify.

World Bank Vice President James Adams commended Vietnam's recent achievements.

"Specific numbers are used to reflect middle income status," he said.

"Vietnam is moving very fast towards those numbers, so we are confident around 2010 Vietnam will reach that status."

Vietnam has had a broader engagement with civil society and in many respects it is showing, on a model basis, how to transform a society, he said.

"We have to emphasize that this important success story reflects good programs that have been developed by the government, sometimes with support of the bank or other donors, but overall initially good design and excellent implementation of those programs," the vice president said.

www.worldbank.org

(Shanghai Start 09/03/2007 page1)