Manila, Philippines (BBN)– Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda will travel to Viet Nam from 28 February to 2 March 2011, as part of the final preparations for ADB’s upcoming Annual Meeting.
About 3,000 participants, including heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors and representatives from the private sector, academia, media and civil society are expected to attend the 44th Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors from May 3-6.
This is the first time the event is being hosted by Viet Nam and will provide the country with an opportunity to showcase its rapid socioeconomic development with the support of development partners including ADB, and its recent progression to Middle Income Country status. 
Viet Nam joined ADB in 1966 as one of the founding members, and over the past 20 years it has become one of the fastest growing and dynamic economies in Asia. As a member of the ADB-supported Greater Mekong Subregion program, Viet Nam also works closely with neighboring countries to promote cross border cooperation.
In Ha Noi, Mr. Kuroda will visit the National Convention Center, and other venues where Annual Meeting events will take place. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and other officials, before visiting ADB project sites in Dac Lak Province in the Central Highlands. A press conference will be held on Tuesday 1 March.
 
BBN/SI/AD-26Feb11-8:16 pm (BST)