Press digest – May 08

Crucial issues discussed at Party Central Committee's 9th session

The agenda of the ninth session of the Party Central Committee is crucial to the fulfillment of political tasks of the Central Committee in its term XI and preparations for the 12th National Party Congress.

The Party Chief required reviewing 15 years of implementing the Party Central Committee's Resolution No.5 (term VIII) on culture, analyzing and forecasting the domestic and international context and situations from now till 2020, with a vision to 2030 to serve the outlining of a new Resolution on establishing and developing Vietnamese culture and human.

The participants will evaluate the five-year implementation of the Resolutions issued by the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly.

US calls for restraint in East Sea

The US opposes all actions aimed at changing the status quo and affecting freedom, security and safety and is against acts of using forces and threats to use force in sovereignty disputes, a national official has said.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel made the statement at his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh when touching upon the ongoing issues in the East Sea.

To prepare for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the normalization of the two countries’ diplomatic ties in 2015, Minh suggested both sides increase visit exchanges and economic relations.

Viet Nam celebrates UN Vesak Day

The 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak, themed "Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals", the event has brought together 10,000 Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns from nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

Speaking at the event, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung confirmed that the annual event has shown the United Nations’ determination for a peaceful, friendship, cooperative and developing world.

The NA Chairman stated that the Party and State hope to expand friendship and cooperation with other countries and international communities on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, and interests of all countries, looking towards sustainable development.

VN demands Thailand eliminate discrimination against Vietnamese  

Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released an announcement that after learning that Thai police asked Vietnamese tourists to present cash around US$700 or 20,000 baths before entering their country, the MFA asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok to talk to Thai functional agencies.

Representatives of the Consular Department, under the MFA sent a diplomatic note to the Thai Embassy in Ha Noi, saying that the non-announcement of the regulation which applies for Viet Nam as the only ASEAN member is not suitable for the cooperative spirit in ASEAN and the traditional relationship between the two sides.

The Consular Department asked the Thai side to create favorable conditions for the travelling of the two nations’ citizens.

VN, Cambodia promote trade and investment opportunities

Phnom Penh hosted the Viet Nam-Cambodia trade and investment promotion seminar to strengthen closer connectivity among businesses.

At the seminar, businesses shared experiences and investment information and learnt about the need for investment cooperation.

They also asked relevant agencies to help remove investment barriers to boost trade promotion activities, thus making economic and trade ties commensurate with the two countries’ great potential.

Increased opportunities for investors in support industry

More and more companies are keen to invest in Viet Nam’s support industry, generating abundant business opportunities.

Duangdej Yuaikwamdee, Executive Director of Thailand’s Reed Tradex spoke highly of Viet Nam’s economic development, technology, trade and human resources, especially in the field of automobile industry.

The country’s auto sector is likely to achieve a growth rate of 10 - 15% this year, he predicted.

Viet Nam earned approximately US$529 million from export of machines, equipment, tools and manufacturing components in the first quarter of 2014, up 15.61% from the previous year.

Dutch businesses seek cooperative opportunities in Mekong Delta

Businesses from the Mekong Delta region and the Netherlands met in Can Tho City to learn about investment potential in the Mekong Delta region. 

Dutch Consul General in HCM City Simon Van Der Burg said that the event opened up huge opportunities for cooperation between businesses of both nations in the future.

The Netherlands has also implemented support programs in the Mekong Delta region to help combat climate change and rising sea levels.

Footwear exports up 21.9%

Viet Nam earned US$2.85 billion from exporting footwear over the past four months of 2014, a year-on-year increase of 21.9%. In April only, the nation made a turnover of US$730 million.

Exports of handbags, suitcases, umbrellas and hats surged 48.1%, reaching US$821 million.

By Thuy Dung