Press digests – April 24
PM meets Brunei ambassador, calls for TPP deal
Receiving new Ambassador of Brunei Pengiran Haji Sahari Bin Pengiran Haji Salleh, PMNguyen Tan Dung has confirmed that Viet Nam is willing to work with Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations as soon as possible.
The government leader suggested holding the first session of the Viet Nam – Brunei Joint Committee soon, during which both sides will look at how to tap their strengths in trade, investment, farming and aquaculture, among other areas.
National Steering Committee for Int’l Integration established
PM Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a decision on establishing the National Steering Committee for International Integration (NSCII).
The NSSCII is headed by the PM, who is aided by Deputy PMs Vu Van Ninh, Vu Duc Dam and Pham Binh Minh as deputy heads.
It comprises of three interdisciplinary steering committees, including a committee for a politics, security and national defense headed by Deputy PM Minh, another on economics led by Deputy PM Ninh and the other on culture, society, science, technology, education and training administered by Deputy PM Dam.
VN achieves US$700 mln trade surplus
Viet Nam was estimated to enjoy a trade surplus of US$700 million in the first four months of this year.
The country shipped US$45.74 billion worth of goods during this period, making a year-on-year increase of 16.9%, while it spent US$45.05 billion importing goods and services, posting an increase of 13.7% over the same period last year.
April inflation rises modestly
Viet Nam had the lowest month on month increase in inflation in more than a decade in April, said the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), adding that for the past 13 years, the average month on month increase of prices for the first four months of the year was 1.0%.
As a result of lower interest rates, credit growth accelerated in April to 1.35% from the end of March.
Project reduces cement sector’s greenhouse gas emissions
The Ministry of Construction and the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) launched a project aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Viet Nam’s cement sector.
It will assess the potential amount of GHG released by cement factories, and build a standard emission level, a measurement system and a nationally appropriate mitigation action for this industry.
US$390 million invested in local infrastructure development
The State Bank of Viet Nam and the World Bank (WB) inked documents in Ha Noi on April 24 on a credit package of US$390 million for three projects to develop infrastructure, agriculture and livelihood in disadvantaged provinces and improve the social support system in Viet Nam.
The three projects’ capital is borrowed for a period of 25 years at a preferential interest of 1.25%.
France helps VN improve supermarket management
The transfer of supermarket management books from international development partners to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) was ceremoniously celebrated.
The aim of the program is to improve the efficiency of vocational education, increase employment opportunities for young people and promote the sharing of human resources between the three nations and French speaking countries.
By Thuy Dung
