PM Khai made the statement while answering a question raised by the Vietnam-based IMF chief representative, Susan Adam, at the centenary monthly session with representatives of donors in Hanoi on April 8.

Addressing the session, which saw the attendance of representatives from 40 bilateral and multilateral donors and nearly 500 non-governmental organisations, PM Khai reaffirmed Vietnam's determination to join the world biggest trade body and ask for further support from international organisations and foreign governments for the country's endeavour.

He highlighted Vietnam's international economic integration efforts, especially the country's efforts to become a WTO member. PM Khai said that Vietnam has been building a law-governed state by improving the capacity of its juridical system and exercising a law-building programme for early WTO membership.

The fight against corruption was a big concern for the Vietnamese government, the PM said in reply to a question raised by the Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam. He further said the government has for the first time thought of the compilation of an anti-corruption bill besides implementing measures to combat corruption, and the wasteful spending of State funds, particularly in construction investment.

The Vietnamese leader said the most important thing is to conduct institutional reform and establish a people's surveillance mechanism so as to prevent corruption and wastefulness.

The Vietnamese Government has been furthering efforts to create a more attractive and fair investment environment for all economic sectors with stress laid on developing the private sector and re-arranging the State-owned sector, PM Khai told the session.

He said that along with efforts to boost economic development, the government has implemented a series of measures to bridge the development gap between regions of the country with the highest attention given to ethnic minority groups in remote and isolated areas.

PM Khai alluded to the effective assistance of international donors. He said: "Reality during the last ten years have clearly shown that the combination of domestic and external resources has given a strong impetus to our country's sustainable economic growth and fast, stable social development."

According to the PM, Vietnam was able to achieve an average annual growth rate of 6.9% in the 1996-2000 period, despite being seriously affected by the regional economic and financial crisis in 1997. He predicted that a growth rate of 7.5% in the 2001-2005 period is achievable.

UNDP chief Jordan Ryan attributed Vietnam's development achievements in recent years to the country's own efforts. He pointed to the fact that the country has exercised stable macro policies and suitable economic reforms.

He described Vietnam as a successful example of effectively tapping domestic resources. However,  international assistance has played an important role in helping Vietnam achieve its targets, Mr Ryan also said.