Mr Manh made the request during a working session with the bank leadership in Hanoi on March 21 in the lead up to its 21^st anniversary (March 26).

The Party leader praised BARD for its marked achievements during the past 21 years. From being a State-subsidised bank with total assets of VND1,500 billion, BARD has become one of the country’s leading commercial banks, with its charter capital reaching VND10,700 billion (US$629 million) and its equity capital amounting to VND21,600 billion (US$1,270 million). It has achieved an annual growth rate of more than 30 percent over recent years and run profitable operations since 1993, helping to raise its employees’ incomes. 

The Party leader acknowledged the bank’s efforts to mobilise capital for development, first and foremost in the areas of agriculture, farmers and rural development. He noted that last year the bank effectively implemented the government’s policies and solutions for curbing inflation, preventing an economic downturn and ensuring social welfare.

He analysed difficulties and challenges facing the country in 2009 and asked the bank to overcome weaknesses in mobilising and disbursing capital, pay due attention to personnel training and increase the management abilities of its leadership to fulfil the assigned tasks.

“The political task of the bank is to implement the 7^th Party conference’s resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural affairs, together with the Party and State, focusing on reforming policies to pool all resources to develop the rural economy, improve farmers’ physical and spiritual lives and assist farmers in producing and selling their products,” said Mr Manh.

He encouraged the bank to develop more efficient business models and expressed his hope that BARD will soon become an influential financial and banking group in Vietnam and the world.