Press digest – November 8
VN, Ireland promote multi-lateral relations
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc expected that Irish President Michael D. Higgins’ visit to Viet Nam will create a new impetus to promote the two nations’ relationship in the future at his reception for the Irish President on November 8 in Ha Noi.
He proposed the two sides accelerate delegation exchanges at all levels, facilitating to further cooperation in potential areas such as trade, investment, education and training, green technology, agriculture and sustainable development.
Appraising Ireland’s national strategy on cooperation with Viet Nam in the 2017-2020 phase, he demanded Ireland continue its Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam as well as assist Viet Nam in reducing poverty, responding to climate change and realizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Legislature approves resolution on restructuring economy
The National Assembly on Tuesday approved the Resolution on restructuring the economy with a view to accelerating the development of strong private economic groups and small and medium sized enterprises.
Under the Resolution, Viet Nam will focus on completing the restructuring of public investment, State-owned enterprises, and credit institutions before 2019.
State budget will also be restructured to ensure safety of public debt and national financial system. The National Assembly sets the target to lower budget overspending to below 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The Legislature capped the public debt at 65%, Government debt at 54%, and foreign debt at 50% of the GDP.
More expenditure for national domestic waterway
The PM has decided to set aside VND50 billion from the central budget in 2016 for the Ministry of Transport to ensure national domestic waterway transport.
The total expenditure will be distributed for clearing rocks on the route on the Dong Nai River (VND30 billion), dredging to ensure the normal flow of inland waterways on the Nhat Le River in the central province of Quang Binh (VND10 billion) and dredging Hoi An-Cu Lao Cham waterway (VND10 billion).
VN, Laos, Cambodia share experience in auditing
Leaders of the State audit agencies from Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia gathered at the seventh meeting in Ha Noi on November 8.
Speaking at the event, State Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc proposed three nations enhance cooperation in the environment to make their cooperative relations more effective.
The Vietnamese State Auditor General demanded all the nations organize cooperative auditing on the environment in the spirit of the Ha Noi Declaration adopted at the 8th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit (CLMV 8).
Nghi Son 2 thermal power plant BOT contract inked
The Ministry of Industry and Trade, Marubeni Company (Japan) and KEPCO (the Republic of Korea) on November 8 inked an investment agreement on the Nghi Son 2 thermal power plant BOT contract.
The plant, with the designed capacity of 1,200 MW and including two 600MW turbines, is invested with US$2.3 billion.
Fruits, vegetables exports to reach US$2.6 bln in 2016
Viet Nam gained approximately US$2 billion from exporting fruits and vegetables, a year-on-year increase of 30%.
China remained the largest importer of Viet Nam’s fruits and vegetables, accounting for more than 70% of the market share.
The nation expects to earn around US$2.5-2.6 billion from exporting the items this year.
By Thuy Dung
