Press digest – November 11

APEC’s multilayered connectivity highlighted

State President Truong Tan Sang highlighted APEC’s achievements in formulating multi-layered linkages from the sub-regional level to the Asia - Pacific region at large during the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, China on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese leader voiced his support for APEC Connectivity Blueprint for the 2015-2025 period and other important decisions to strengthen connectivity, especially infrastructure development among APEC members.

He also urged APEC members to focus on coping with global challenges and supporting capacity building for developing members, stepping up cooperation in education and training, public-private partnership among others.

22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting wraps up

The 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting concluded in China ’s capital city of Beijing on November 11.

The leaders of the 21 APEC member economies issued two declarations, “Beijing Agenda for an Integrated, Innovative and Interconnected Asia-Pacific” and “Shaping the Future through the Asia-Pacific Partnership”.

Four annexes include “The Beijing Roadmap for APEC’s Contribution to the Realisation of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific”, “APEC Strategies Blueprint for Promoting Global Value Chain Development and Cooperation”, “APEC Accord on Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth”, and “APEC Connectivity Blueprint for 2015-2025”.

They agreed that the next meeting will be hosted by the Philippines in 2015.

PM leaves for 25th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his entourage on November 11 left Ha Noi to partake in the 25th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar at the invitation of Myanmar’s President Thein Sein.

The PM was accompanied by Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh and Minister-Chairman of the Office of Government Nguyen Van Nen, among others.

These meetings aim to speed up the ASEAN Community establishment and preparation for the bloc’s post-2015 development vision; uphold solidarity and the central role of ASEAN in the regional architecture; review and set orientations for the relations between ASEAN and its partners within the frameworks of ASEAN 1, ASEAN 3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS) and exchange views on regional and global issues of common concerns.

NA discusses high-school curricula reform

Deputies debated a project on reform of high-school curricula and textbooks at their discussion during the 13th National Assembly’s ongoing eighth session on November 11.  

They also exchanged opinions on the draft Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents. 

Earlier that day, lawmakers discussed several points of the draft Law on Management and Use of State Capital in Production and Business, focusing on the principles of investment, management and use of State capital in enterprises, and the competence of company leaders in capital mobilisation, investment, construction, and asset selling and purchasing. 

On November 12, the legislature is expected to consider the draft Law on Labour Safety and Hygiene, the draft revised Law on the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and the draft revised Law on Military Service.

Regional minimum wage to surge from 2015

Since January 1, 2015, the monthly minimum wage for employees will increase from VND 2.15 million (US$102) to VND 3.1 million (US$ 147).

These benefiting employees work for companies, enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative groups, farms, households, individuals and agencies, organizations employing laborers.

The Government has recently issued a new decree to replace Decree 182/2013/ND-CP, dated November 14, 2013 onmonthly minimum wage for employees.

NA’s hearing session to take place next week

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and four Ministers will answer questions lodged by deputies during  their ongoing eighth session, scheduled on November 17-19, said Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc.

The four Minister to join the Question-Answer session include the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Transport, and the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

World Day of Social Work marked in HN

The 17th World Day of Social Work was celebrated in Ha Noi on November 11 with the participation of policymakers, academics and social workers.

In her keynote speech, Minister of Labour, War, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen highlighted the importance of social work, acknowledging its positive contributions to every realm of life and social welfare in particular.

A government-approved plan to develop social work from 2010-2020 has proven successful so far, she said, adding that more need to be done to increase its efficiency, including the adjustment of legal regulations and developing a network of social workers and appropriate training courses.

Samsung to build second factory in Thai Nguyen

The Northern province of Thai Nguyen on Tuesday granted an investment certificate to Samsung Electrics Viet Nam (SEVT), opening way for the company to build the second mobile phone factory in the locality.

The US$3 billion project will be located near the company’s first factory which came into operation in March this year with a total investment capital of US$2 billion.

The two factories are expected to create jobs for around 100,000 local residents.

MoU signed to finance VN - Lao oil pipeline project

The Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) and the Export-Import Bank of Slovakia (Eximbanka SR) on November 10 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on providing credit for the construction of a bonded warehouse and oil pipeline from Hon La port in Viet Nam's Quang Binh province to Khammouna province in Laos.

The signing ceremony took place in Bratislvava, Slovakia in the presence of Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Lubomir Vazny and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.

The oil pipeline project is 100% financed by the Lao Government with an estimated capital of US$200 million. Laos Petro Join Stock Company (PetroLao) was assigned to implement the project.

(Source: VGP/VNA/VOV/Nhandan)