He said the forum is taking place at a time when the world is bearing the brunt of the financial meltdown and economic crisis, therefore, all countries are joining hands and making every effort to cushion the effects of the crisis and overcome systematic weaknesses to put the world economy back on track. 

Vietnam welcomed the agreements reached at the recent G-20 summit and key solutions adopted at the recent ASEAN+3 Financial Ministerial meeting to increase aid for developing nations to help them weather the financial storm, said Mr Dung.  

Vietnam believes that Asian economies will soon overcome the crisis and serve as a driving force behind the development of the world economy thanks to their traditional Asian values, their firm resolve, and lessons drawn from the 1997 East Asian financial crisis.

The Vietnamese PM also expressed his belief that with its effective solutions in place, China will be the first Asian country to restore its economic growth.

He asked all countries to accelerate regional cooperation, especially within the greater Mekong sub-region (GMS), by speeding up the establishment of economic corridors and implementing a GMS agreement on cross-border transport facilitation as soon as possible.

Vietnam supports trade liberalisation and opposes protectionism in all forms, said Mr Dung. He asked developed countries to provide assistance, especially capital, science-technology, market approaches and trade development know-how, to developing countries.

The PM briefed the forum on solutions the Vietnamese government has introduced to sustain its macro economy and ensure social welfare, still aiming to achieve a GDP growth rate of 6.2 percent this year.

Vietnam is and will be a dynamic economy and a reliable destination for foreign investors, said Mr Dung.

In the afternoon, PM Dung left Hainan province for Guangzhou city to begin a visit to Guangdong province.