By H.E. Mr. Mai Quoc Binh, Vietnam Deputy Inspector General

______2008/ACT/SYM/002

Opening Address

Submitted by: Viet Nam

International Symposium on Anti-Corruption and Administrative Reform Hanoi, Viet Nam 25-26 June 2008 OPENING ADDRESS By H.E. Mr. Mai Quoc Binh, Vietnam Deputy Inspector General At the International Symposium “Anti-corruption and Administrative Reform” Hanoi, 25th June 2008

Distinguished Guests, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, in the fine weather of the early summer days of Hanoi, we are greatly honored to greet you all - the representatives of anti-corruption agencies of the Asia–Pacific region. On behalf of the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam (GIV), I would like to extend the warmest welcome to all distiguished guests and delegates attending the International Symposium “Anti-corruption and Administrative Reform”.

The International Symposium “Anti-corruption and Administrative Reform” is a project under the capacity building framework of the APEC Task Force on Anti-corruption and Transparency (ACT). We would like to express our deep gratitudes to all APEC member economies as well as the APEC Secretariat for your strong support to the hosting of the Symposium by GIV. GIV will do our best to make the Symposium a successful one which achieves the pre-set targets. At the same time, I believe that apart from participating actively and making contributions to the success of the Symposium, delegates will have time and chances to meet and contact with the people of Vietnam to learn more about the country and witness the achievements recorded in the course of country renovation, industrialization and modernization.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Symposium serves to create a forum for representatives of anti-corruption agencies from APEC member economies, local and international experts and scholars on anti-corruption and administrative reform and private sector’s representatives to discuss, exchange views, share information and practical experiences in order to draw out effective ways to foster the interactive relationship between anti-corruption and administrative reform, especially in the areas of personnel management, public finance management, administrative apparatus structure and administrative procedures.

The Symposium is also a chance for us to further discuss about the private sector’s role and activities regarding public administration reform for the purpose of anti-corruption. We will together listen to the voice of the private sector’s representatives on the conveniences as well as the troubles relating to administrative procedures that they encounter in daily business activities. We, at the same time, will discuss deeply about the adoption of the Code of Conduct for Business by enterprises – an important outcome of ACT 2007, in order to develop a “no bribe culture” in the business community for an effective fight against corruption.

The Symposium is also an opportunity for us to further strengthen the mutual understanding, establish or develop the bilateral and multilateral relationships, bringing member economies closer to each other in a dynamic Asia – Pacific region.

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With the spirit of openness, friendship and cooperation, I believe that delegates will analyze and discuss deeply the five sub-topics to ensure the fulfilment of the Symposium’s objectives. The success of this Symposium will continue to raise the position, roles and operations’ effeciency of ACT in general and of the anti-corruption agencies of all member economies in particular.

With that spirit, I declare the International Symposium “Anti-corruption and Administrative Reform” open.

I wish all the distinguished guests and delegates good health, happiness and success.

Thank you!