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Weekly press digest - April 21-27

April 28, 2014 8:25 AM GMT+7

PM Dung demands all means to eliminate measles outbreaks

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has demanded that agencies concerned ensure enough workforce, medicines and equipment to eliminate the outbreaks of measles as soon as possible.

At a working session with relevant ministries, agencies and Ha Noi authorities on April 23, the PM asked the Ministry of Public Health to expand communications campaigns to raise public awareness of the disease and all necessary precautions, especially vaccination. He noted that while new cases have reduced, the number of infected patients is still large.

According to the Health Minister’s report at the session, a total of 3,569 measles cases were recorded as of April 23 in 61 out of the country's 63 cities and provinces, with 37% of the cases in Ha Noi.

Forum promotes development in Cambodia, Laos, VN

A forum for development partners in the development triangle area of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam (CLV) took place on April 21 in Buon Ma Thuat, Central Highlands Dak Lak Province to seek partnerships to realize potentials held by the area.

Can Tho needs to create development impetus for Mekong Delta

PM Nguyen Tan Dung called on Can Tho city to be more active and creative in socio-economic development in order to create the driving force for the development of the whole Mekong Delta region.

The Government chief made the call on April 26  during a meeting with the leaders of the local authorities.

PM Dung recommended Can Tho city develop the processing industry and technology applications.

“Can Tho city should take more drastic measures to combine the building of new-style rural areas with poverty reduction and vocational training in order to improve the living conditions of rural residents,” said the Government leader.

Bac Lieu urged to accelerate economic structure transformation

PM Nguyen Tan Dung urged the Southern province of Bac Lieu to focus on transforming its economic structure and reducing the current poverty rate of 9% during his working session with leaders of the local authorities on Saturday morning.

The province needs to attach importance to education and vocational training as it plays a decisive role in building foundations for the locality’s development.

The Government chief also asked Bac Lieu to beef up progress of key infrastructure projects, especially that on wind power in order to create premises for development of other sectors and grneration of new jobs as well.

First Don Ca Tai Tu festival organized

The Don Ca Tai Tu festival was organized for the first time in the Southern province of Bac Lieu on Friday evening in a bid to protect and promote the cultural values of the UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.

Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern folk music) is an indispensable part of the spiritual activity and cultural heritage of the people of southern Viet Nam. The music and songs evoke the people’s life and work on the land and rivers of the Mekong Delta region.

Performed at numerous events such as festivals, death anniversary rituals and celebrations, Don Ca Tai Tu is thus intimately connected with other cultural practices and customs, oral traditions and handicrafts.

Scientific, technological initiatives honoured

Thirty-three scientific and technological projects received the 2013 Scientific and Technological Creation Awards, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) award and the 2013 Intellectual Property Gold Cup, at a ceremony held in Ha Noi on April 24.

The winners, including five first prizes, five second prizes, 12 third prizes and 11 consolation prizes, were selected among 86 entries sent to the organizing board.

Free measles vaccination covers 2-10 years old children

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to launch a free-of charge measles vaccination for children between the ages of 2 and 10 years old in vulnerable provinces and cities.

The benefited localities include Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong.

Free vaccination will be carried out from May to July, 2014.

US4 4 bln of FDI capital disbursed in four months

Capital disbursement by foreign-invested projects reached about 4 billion USD in this year’s first four months, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.7 percent, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

However, the flow of FDI capital into the country in the period slumped, with US$ 4.855 billion, equivalent to only 59.1% of the figure for the same period last year.

Of the amount, US 3.32 billion went into 390 newly-licensed projects, while 140 existing projects added US 1.62 billion to their capital.

Agro-forestry–fishery exports increase in four months

Viet Nam grossed 9.69 billion USD from selling agro-forestry and seafood products abroad in the first four months of 2014, a year-on-year increase of 14%, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Seafood was the top export industry, bringing home US$ 2.2 billion, up 31% on an annual basis. The US topped the list, accounting for 25% of the total exports.

Coffee, pepper, and timber products also experienced the same trend. Viet Nam exported 826,000 tonnes of coffee worth US$ 1.65 billion, a rise of nearly 40% and 30%, respectively, with Germany and the US remaining the biggest importers.

Vinalines ex-boss appeal enters fourth day

The appeal hearing for Duong Chi Dung, former Chairman of the Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), and his eight co-defendants, on April 24 entered its fourth day, focusing on clarifying several new details in the case.

During the day, Dung’s alleged accomplices were questioned about their role in the case in order to make clear the losses caused by their poor management.

Representatives from the Viet Nam Registry also answered queries from lawyers and the Court of Appeals on specialised issues relating to the acts of customs officials on trial./.

(Source: VGP/VNA/VOV)