ABSTRACT:

Since w88 đăng nhậpDoi Moiin 1986, Vietnam has transformed itself from one of w88 đăng nhập world’s poorest nations to a lower middle-income nation. w88 đăng nhập social structure and political system of w88 đăng nhập country have changed significantly from this time, leading to w88 đăng nhập current situation of public investment in infrastructure in different provinces and cities of Vietnam. Regarding to w88 đăng nhập country’s budget spending, Ministry of Planning and Investment plays a key role in determining development investment and drawing up specific plans on public investment as well as policies foreconomic management, Official development assistance (OAD) sources, preferential loans, andforeign non-governmental aids. Ministry of Finance works closely with Ministry of Planning and Investment in allocating spending. However, other state organizations such as w88 đăng nhập government and  local People’s Committees also contribute to plan and decide w88 đăng nhập spending under a complex legal framework. w88 đăng nhập public investment in infrastructure brings positive outcomes in reducing poverty and shifts in choices of transportation. However, there are some problems in managing spending activities including w88 đăng nhập government budget deficit in recent years and w88 đăng nhập ranks of Vietnam in comparison with other countries. w88 đăng nhập ineffectiveness in managing spending activities comes from w88 đăng nhập bribery and corruption in w88 đăng nhập government, over reliance on foreign support sources or poor management planning. w88 đăng nhập ineffectiveness of public investment could lead to negative impacts on economy and people living standard. To attract foreign investment, it is necessary to have clear and detailed plans with foreign investors to avoid any delays in providing support capitals. w88 đăng nhập corruption and bribery need handling by government strictly as well.

Keywords:Public investment, Infrastructure, policies, ineffectiveness, economic consequences.

I. Introduction

For a long time, national attention has been drawn to w88 đăng nhập crumbling condition of nations infrastructure as it spurs a debate over decision on national investment (Alicia and Leah 1990). As a result, w88 đăng nhập effectiveness in w88 đăng nhập spending of public investment on infrastructure have impact on economic activity at national level especially have greater output, more private investment, and more employment growth (Alicia and Leah 1990). Vietnam is among Asian countries that witness significant development record in economy in w88 đăng nhập past 30 years, especially after Doi Moi in 1986 (Worldbank 2018). Since w88 đăng nhập reform happened, Vietnam has transformed from one of w88 đăng nhập worlds poorest nations to a lower middle-income nation (Worldbank 2018). This success comes from different reasons such as active participation in ASEAN or WTO, concluded negotiation for w88 đăng nhập EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement or Trans-pacific Partnership (VIR 2016). Since Doi moi reforms, w88 đăng nhập social structure and political system in this country also changes drastically. All of these factors heavily influence w88 đăng nhập situation of public investment in infrastructure in different provinces and cities. This paper critically discusses w88 đăng nhập departments that have duty and incentives for policies with w88 đăng nhập real problem of managing activities to see any economic consequences of ineffective investment based on real numbers and facts. Solutions are given for better policies enactment.

II. Literature review

1. Duty in policies

Infrastructure capital is defined as large capital-intensive natural monopolies such as highways, water and sewer lines, road, communication systems or other transportation facilities (Agenor 2006). Meanwhile, public investment generally refers to w88 đăng nhập spending of national capital for investments, which aim to fulfill targets of public programs and projects (VIR 2018). This source for public investment consists of state budget, state credit, official development assistance, revenues from taxes and charges (VIR 2018).

With these sources, there are different departments and organizations that are responsible for policies on allocating public investment. However, among them, Ministry of planning and investment plays a key role in determining development investment and having specific plans on public investment as well as policies for economic management, ODA source, preferential loans, and foreign non-governmental aids (MPI 2017). More specifically, in w88 đăng nhập Decree of w88 đăng nhập Government defining w88 đăng nhập function, tasks, powers and organizational structure of w88 đăng nhập Ministry as w88 đăng nhập Decree No. 86/2017/ND-CP dated July 25 2017 (MPI 2017), all plans, decisions or directives should be submitted to w88 đăng nhập Prime Minister, Government and National Assembly. However, as a unit of Government, this Ministry is in charge of listing programs and projects prioritized to get public investment. Furthermore, Ministry of Planning and Investment coordinate with w88 đăng nhập Ministry of Finance in allocating budget for important projects (MPI 2017). Once w88 đăng nhập spending is decided, w88 đăng nhập projects are then approved by ministry-equivalent Government departments and provincial Peoples Committees. w88 đăng nhập chairmen of Peoples Committees at district or province level have decision on invested projects with capital under some relevant thresholds (MPI 2017).

2. Problems in managing activities

There is big constraint in infrastructure in recent years. Vietnam will need billion US each year to invest in infrastructure while w88 đăng nhập annual funds available from both public and private sectors are less than billion US (Asian Development Bank, 2009). Despite w88 đăng nhập development in infrastructure with an improvement in infrastructure rankings from w88 đăng nhập 95th place to 79th place in 2016, w88 đăng nhập competitiveness of its infrastructure system is still slight compared with other economies in South East Asia (World Economic Forum 2016). w88 đăng nhập consequence of this ineffectiveness leads to larger amount of government debt as well.  In fact, w88 đăng nhập government effectiveness can be measured in w88 đăng nhập following chart (Figure 1). This shows a good sign of increase in effectiveness from Vietnam government to 0.05 percent in 2015 after reaching its bottom in 2012 and 2013. Yet, in comparison with other countries, especially those in South East Asia, this is quite small rate. Furthermore, this rate tends to decrease in recent years to reach 0 percent in 2017 (w88 đăng nhập World Bank 2018). It seems that relevant department, ministries and government have not sought excellent plan on funding and investment.

Figure 1: Government effectiveness in Vietnam

Source: w88 đăng nhập Global Economy (2018)
Source: w88 đăng nhập Global Economy (2018)

w88 đăng nhập underlined theory in this ineffectiveness might come from causes of delay. There are 56 causes of delay that have been identified based on literature review and interviews with local contractors, and owners (Assaf, Al-Khalil and Al-Hazml 1995). These causes could be categorized into nine main groups as “materials, manpower, equipment, financing, environment, changes, government relation, contractual relationships, and scheduling and controlling techniques” (Assaf et al. 1995: 46). To be more specific, in Vietnam, there are multiple causes that can be recognized in serious delay. Firstly, it is w88 đăng nhập transportation ineffectiveness and poor-managing delay in w88 đăng nhập development of public buildings like airports or ports. In fact, w88 đăng nhập growth in recurrent expenditure is not keeping pace with capital expenditures (WorldBank 2018). Another reason comes from w88 đăng nhập public investment reliance on private investment and foreign supports. Furthermore, it might come from w88 đăng nhập transparency in government expenses. Many projects need to get approval after bribery and lobbying government (WorldBank 2018).

w88 đăng nhập complexity in approval process for public spending on projects is also another determinant cause for delay in projects (Darko, E, Hai, NM and Whitley, S 2015). w88 đăng nhập government has not headed to sustainable investment on transportation as they ignore detrimental impacts on environment during construction and post-construction maintenance (WorldBank 2018). Finally, capital shortage is one of main reasons for delay in projects as private sectors are more and more encouraged (Darko et al. 2015).

3. Economic consequences

There are a number of economic consequences coming from ineffectiveness spending on infrastructure in Vietnam. w88 đăng nhập most visible negative impacts of poor infrastructure can be seen in logistical nightmares (VIR 2012). According to VIR (2012), in a conference of Vietnams trade facilitation, value creation and competitiveness, World Bank expert indicated Vietnam has been far left behind other countries in South East Asia in term of time, cost and reliability of physical trade infrastructure. Vietnams transport, logistic and border management cost are trade barriers almost as significant as tariff barriers especially in w88 đăng nhập context of Vietnams open to world economy, this bottleneck could continue limiting w88 đăng nhập further growth for local economy according to Victoria Kwakwa World Bank in Vietnams country director (VIR 2016). w88 đăng nhập other consequences brought to local economy is w88 đăng nhập uneven distribution of public investment. In fact, big cities like Danang, Hochiminh or Hanoi receive more funding for infrastructure rather than undeveloped regions. Meanwhile, w88 đăng nhập positive impact of investment on infrastructure should be to reduce poverty in poorest and rural areas and more impact is seen in these regions rather than to richest ones. Finally, ineffectiveness of investment can be seen in electricity industry.

Figure 2: Total costs of generating electricity in Vietnam

Total costs of generatw88 đăng nhậpg electricity w88 đăng nhập Vietnam
Source: Vietnams infrastructure constraints (Doan and Dapice 2018)

It is seen from figure 2 that hydro power is over-relied on while unprepared plan from government leads to a lack of electricity demand (Doan and Dapice 2009). This leads to a growth in electricity prices that reflect actual costs of production and distribution nationwide (Doan and Dapice 2018).

III. Methodology

In order to conduct study more effectively, this section includes w88 đăng nhập research methodology. In more details, in this part, w88 đăng nhập target population, research context, type of data analysis, samples, respondent profiles and collection methods will be presented. Regarding to target population, this refers to w88 đăng nhập entire group of individuals or objects (Doan 2018). In this research, w88 đăng nhập index that is publicly published in World Bank sites and Government statistic offices sources will be useful to be collected. Data from World Bank and GSO are pre-collected and filtered from different countrys public disclosure as it becomes more credible to collect. Moreover, World Bank data has drawn conclusion via w88 đăng nhập data and description of w88 đăng nhập datas categories. w88 đăng nhập research context is based on all possible public disclosure of Vietnam. Data and conclusion in this research is derived from previous research and analysis.

w88 đăng nhập sampling of this research will be Vietnams economic index throughout w88 đăng nhập period of 2000 to 2017. w88 đăng nhập data, which is generated, by World Bank and GSO is based on w88 đăng nhập whole population of Vietnam. w88 đăng nhập respondents could be all possible individuals/business groups that have impact on w88 đăng nhập national economy examining w88 đăng nhập eco ratio and responding living or working standard. w88 đăng nhập measures will be based on w88 đăng nhập number of ports, airports, w88 đăng nhập index of governments corruption control, GDP point, road meters, or public investment in VND.

1. Findings

According to World Bank report, it is undeniable that Vietnams transition to a market economy has transformed w88 đăng nhập whole country and people living standard especially since w88 đăng nhập Doi Moi in 1986 (World Bank 2018). Vietnam stands out as a successful story among w88 đăng nhập transitional economies such as Eastern Europe (World Bank 2018). This can be seen in figure 3. This has proved w88 đăng nhập significant development of Vietnam in term of economy.

Figure 2: Vietnams output performance relative to other transitional economies

Vietnams output performance relative to ow88 đăng nhậpr transitional economies
Source: World Bank (2011)

Although w88 đăng nhập development of Vietnam economy is visible, w88 đăng nhập usage of resource is not as efficient as expected according to this report. According to GSO (2018), w88 đăng nhập investment of constant prices by different forms of economic activity in 2010 rises gradually 2011 to 2016 (Figure 4 & Figure 5). This shows w88 đăng nhập intensiveness of investment throughout this period. However, w88 đăng nhập effectiveness of government budget can be seen in figure 6 as it was negative from 2007 to 2015 and just above positive in 2016 and 2017. w88 đăng nhập ineffectiveness in spending can be seen Hochiminh city. As w88 đăng nhập population and migrants to this city soared in recent years and efforts from city authorities to improve infrastructure, there are some existing problems leading to degradation in living standard of citizens. For example, waste collection system is absent in many areas of w88 đăng nhập city. People still rely on underground water and use polluted water rivers (Doan et al. 2017). w88 đăng nhập uneven development in large city is clearly seen in Hanoi as well as Hochiminh. w88 đăng nhập five-year-delayed sky train is due to lack of funding from China (Doan 2017). w88 đăng nhập state-owned China Railway Sixth Group Co., delayed disbursement of 0 million in ODA from China that held w88 đăng nhập whole project. This poses negative impact not only in traffic but also environment of w88 đăng nhập whole city. Meanwhile, Hanoi Committee and Government are still passive in speeding w88 đăng nhập whole progress.

Figure 4: Investment at constant 2010 prices by kinds of economic activity

w88 đăng nhậpvestment at constant 2010 prices by kw88 đăng nhậpds of economic activity
Source: GSO (2018)

Finally, it is found that corruption varies significantly across provinces in Vietnam. In w88 đăng nhập period from October 2006 to September 2007, there were 400 corruption cases that were brought to court involving 820 people (Darko, E, Hai, NM and Whitley, S 2015). w88 đăng nhập total damages of these cases are estimated to be up to 290 billion VND (Darko et al. 2015). w88 đăng nhập frequencies of these cases are in Hanoi, Hochiminh city, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Long An and Binh Thuan (Darko et al. 2015). Furthermore, through findings, foreign firms are more likely to bribe when entering industries which domestic companies have already developed in Vietnam such as manufacturing or agriculture (Darko et al. 2015). w88 đăng nhập FDI invested into country will need to bribe as it causes interruption in investment process. As a result, this leads to corruption. w88 đăng nhập corruption and bribery are two factors that lead to a delay and ineffectiveness of investment on infrastructure.

2. Recommendations and limitation

There are some recommendations given to w88 đăng nhập government after w88 đăng nhập analysis of current situation. It is seen that government has tendency to share and selling assets and liabilities of SOEs to foreign investors more and more. Therefore, it is highly suggested to government to rely more on private sector. Besides, w88 đăng nhập foreign direct investment (FDI) is one of important factor that boost economy in developing countries (Delgado, McCloud and Kumbhakar 2014). This could share risks with other supporters. However, it is necessary to have clear plan and commitment to avoid delay in subsidizing capital. Besides, corruption has also been argued as circumvent existing inefficient bureaucratic regulations that could curb w88 đăng nhập development of one country (Delgado et al. 2014). Hence, besides attracting FDI and foreign investors to participate in w88 đăng nhập local economy, it is necessary to handle w88 đăng nhập issues of bribes and corruption first. Another advice to government is to have detailed and forecast plans for investment and areas of infrastructure to improve. w88 đăng nhập plans should analysis w88 đăng nhập current situation and indicate any problems that need to deal with. This helps to distribute w88 đăng nhập sources of investment evenly and brings post-profit for w88 đăng nhập regions.

w88 đăng nhập paper relies heavily on World Bank and GSO sources. However, w88 đăng nhập accuracy of numbers and real spending are not investigated fully. w88 đăng nhập test and interpretation above can be wide used in deeper understanding w88 đăng nhập economic development in Vietnam, perhaps explained by w88 đăng nhập complicated hidden relation between governmental regulations, ambiguous information and w88 đăng nhập infrastructure spending.

3. Conclusion

In conclusion, w88 đăng nhập capital investment on infrastructure is significant w88 đăng nhập development of a country. In Vietnam, w88 đăng nhập Ministry of Investment and planning and Ministry of Finance are mainly in charge of deciding investment but they still need approval and submission to Prime Minister and Government. This complexity in investment allocation lead to corruption and bribery that are one of main causes for delay in projects and ineffectiveness of public investment. Other reasons come from management plan and over reliance on foreign support. This leads to heavy consequences to economy, people living standard and environment. w88 đăng nhập solutions are to attract foreign investment meanwhile having clear plan and details with foreign investors to avoid any delays in supporting capital. w88 đăng nhập corruption and bribery need handling by government strictly as well. Only by doing so, can infrastructure bring better living standard for Vietnam citizens in both rural and urban areas.

REFERENCES:

1. Agenor, P and Moreno-Dodson, B 2006. Public infrastructure and growth: new channels and policy implications, viewed 20 January 2019, <https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2005043

2. Alicia, HM and Leah, MC 1990. How does public infrastructure affect regional economic performance. New England economic review, no. Sep, pp.11 - 33.

3. Asian Development Bank, 2009. Fighting Poverty in Asia and w88 đăng nhập Pacific: w88 đăng nhập Poverty Strategy, Manila.

4. Assaf, SA, Al-Khalil, M and Al-Hazml, M 1995. Causes of delay in Large building construction projects. Journal of management in engineering, vol.11, no.2, pp.45 - 50.

5. Darko, E, Hai, NM and Whitley, S 2015. Mapping current incentives and investment in Vietnams transport sector: Informing private climate finance, viewed 20 January 2018, <https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9692.pdf

6. Delgado, MS, McCloud, N and Kumbhakar, SC 2014, A generalized empirical model of corruption, foreign direct investment, and growth. Journal of macroeconomics, vol.42, pp.298 - 316.

7. Doan, QH, Le, TM and Nguyen, DA n.d. Public investment in Vietnam, viewed 20 January 2018,http://siteresources.worldbank.org/PUBLICSECTORANDGOVERNANCE/Resources/285741-1286300587143/I_Public_Investment_in_Vietnam.pdf

8. General Statistics Office of Vietnam 2018, Investment, viewed 20 January 2019, <https://www.gso.gov.vn/default_en.aspx?tabid=776

9. w88 đăng nhập World Bank 2018. w88 đăng nhập World Bank in Vietnam, viewed 20 January 2018, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/vietnam/overview

THỰC TRANG VIỆC ĐẦU TƯ CÔNG

VÀO CƠ SỞ HẠ TẦNG CỦA VIỆT NAM

ThS.PHAN XUÂN HOÀNG

Nhà nghiên cứu chính sách, Hội đồng Nhân dân tỉnh Nghệ An

TÓM TẮT:

Kể từ khi áp dụngchính sách Đổi Mớivào năm 1986, Việt Nam đã chuyển mình từ một trong những quốc gia nghèo nhất thế giới sang một quốc gia có thu nhập trung bình thấp. Cơ cấu xã hội vàhệ thống chính trịcủa Việt Nam đã thay đổi đáng kể từ thời điểm này, kéo theo đó là việc đầu tư công vào cơ sở hạ tầng tại các tỉnh thành khác nhau của đất nước. Liên quan đến nhiệm vụ chi ngân sách, Bộ Kế hoạch và Đầu tư đóng vai trò chính trong việc xác định đầu tư phát triển và có kế hoạch cụ thể về đầu tư công cũng như các chính sách quản lý kinh tế,nguồn ODA, cho vay ưu đãi vàviện trợ phi chính phủ nước ngoài. Bộ Tài chính phối hợp chặt chẽ với Bộ Kế hoạch và Đầu tư trong việc phân bổ chi tiêu. Tuy nhiên, các tổ chức khác như Chính phủ, Ủy ban nhân dân địa phương cũng góp phần lên kế hoạch và quyết định việc chi tiêu theo một khung pháp lý phức tạp. Đầu tư công vào cơ sở hạ tầng mang lại các kết quả tích cực trong việc giảm nghèo và thay đổi cách thức giao thông. Tuy nhiên, việc quản lý các hoạt động chi tiêu hiện có một số khó khăn bao gồm sự thâm hụt ngân sách của Chính phủ và sự xếp hạng của Việt Nam so với các nước khác. Sự thiếu hiệu quả trong việc quản lý các hoạt động chi tiêu đến từ sự hối lộ và tham nhũng trong Chính phủ, sự phụ thuộc quá nhiều vào các nguồn hỗ trợ của nước ngoài hoặc kế hoạch quản lý kém. Đầu tư công kém hiệu quả có thể dẫn đến những tác động tiêu cực đến nền kinh tế và mức sống của người dân. Để thu hút đầu tư nước ngoài, cần có kế hoạch rõ ràng và chi tiết với các nhà đầu tư nước ngoài để tránh bất kỳ sự chậm trễ trong việc cung cấp vốn hỗ trợ. Bên cạnh đó, tình trạng tham nhũng và hối lộ cần được Chính phủ xử lý.

Từ khóa:Đầu tư công, cơ sở hạ tầng, các chính sách, kém hiệu quả, hậu quả kinh tế.