Press digest – January 7
Gov’t strives for E5 bio-fuel roadmap
Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai highlighted the determination to realize the E5 bio-fuel roadmap amidst low oil prices and difficult distribution of the bio fuel.
The Deputy PM made the point on January 7 in Ha Noi at a meeting to review the implementation of Decision 53/2012/QD-TT on the road map for using E5 petrol.
Mr. Hai tasked relevant agencies to boost E5 petrol consumption in accordance with the Government’s roadmap and encourage consumers to use the fuel in a bid to gradually reduce reliance on fossil fuel.
VN lodges solemn protest against China’s flights to Fiery Cross Reef
Viet Nam once again lodged strong protest against China as the latter on Wednesday landed two aircraft on the airfield built illegally on Fiery Cross Reef of Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago.
Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said the Chinese test flights seriously encroaches on Viet Nam’s sovereignty, threatens the regional peace and stability as well as security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
Viet Nam demands China immediately stop such deed, respect relevant regulations of international law, and take no more actions that may further expand and complicate disputes.
VN deeply concerned over DPRK hydrogen bomb test
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh on Thursday re-affirmed Viet Nam’s consistent position of supporting a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, comprehensive ban against nuclear testing, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and working toward nuclear disarmament.
The statement was made in response to reporters’ query on Viet Nam’s reaction to the thermonuclear bomb test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on January 6.
Central rate increases 12 VND
The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) on January 7 announced the central rate for the Viet Nam dong and the US dollar at 21,919 VND per USD, an increase of 12 VND compared to January 6.
The central rate has increased a total of 29 VND since its first application on January 4.
With the current /- 3 percent VND/USD trading band, the ceiling exchange rate is 22,576 VND per USD and the floor rate is 21,261 VND per USD. In commercial banks, the rate increased by 10-20 VND.
Anti-corruption hotlines prove effective
Approximately 330 calls have been made to three national anti-corruption hotlines that were created for the public to report corruption 25 days ago, said Head of Government Inspectorate Anti-corruption Bureau Pham Trong Dat.
Speaking at the Government Inspectorate’s press conference on January 7, Dat stated that a large number of the calls were in the fields of land, minerals, taxation, finance and social welfare, and about abuse of an office’s power.
Of the total, the inspection sector acknowledged 120 cases and asked for additional evidence and documents.
According to him, the three hotlines, 08048228, 0902386999 and 01256986688, are an effective solution to collect denunciation calls from both civilians and officials in State agencies.
HSBC: 6.7% GDP growth target within reach
Viet Nam’s 6.7% GDP growth target in 2016 set by the Government is definitely within reach, said the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).
The HSBC recently published a report on Viet Nam’s macro-economic prospect under the theme “Great expectations.”
The report assessed that Viet Nam’s economy performed properly in 2015 with nearly 6.7% GDP growth rate, the fastest pace over the last eight years and slower inflation rate to only 0.6%.
Phu Bai Int’l Airport rolls out red carpet for investors
A series of preferential policies and investment incentives will be given to investors who open new flights to Phu Bai international airport, according to the People’s Committee of central Thua Thien-Hue province.
The applicable time is one year since investors open the first flight to the international airport.
The policy is not applied to flights connecting Ha Noi, Tan Son Nhat and Phu Bai.
The policies cover aviation transportation agencies with flight schedules in at least six months and two flights per month.
Housing transactions in HN hit record high
Housing transactions in Ha Noi last year hit a record 21,100, surpassing the sector’s peak in 2009, according to property service provider CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Viet Nam . High-end apartment transactions accounted for 32% of the total, up from 20% in previous years.
According to CBRE, a number of property investors have sped up delayed projects. Several apartment projects have been restructured in both size and price in accordance with market demands.
The mid-end and low-cost apartment transaction rate was down compared to 2014, however, it still accounted for a large share of the total sales due to reasonable pricing.
(Source: VGP/VNA/VOV)
