Press digest – August 25

PM Dung holds talks with EC President

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso discussed a wide range of measures to promote Viet Nam-EU relations during their talks in Ha Noi on Monday.

At the talks, the two leaders briefed each other about the socio-economic situations and diplomatic policies, exchanged views on international and regional matters of common concern, including the East Sea issue.  

PM Dung hoped for early ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which was signed between the two sides in 2012 as well as the recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy status.

Both the host and the guest emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea.

VN, India accelerate strategic partnership

PM Nguyen Tan Dung confirmed Viet Nam’s consistent policy to enhance its strategic partnership with India in all fields at his reception for Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

Meanwhile, the Minister hoped that the two sides will accelerate bilateral investment and trade, the progress of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations and soon launch a direct flight.

On the East Sea issue, Ms. Sushma Swaraj said that India opposed the use or threat to use force in international conflicts and supported the settlement of conflicts by peaceful measures, based on international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

VN, WB cooperate in climate change adaption

PM Nguyen Tan Dung voiced his hope that the WB will continue supporting Viet Nam in policy development and technical advice, as well as providing financial assistance, so that the country can effectively respond to climate change and rising sea levels while welcoming WB Vice President and Special Envoy for climate change Rachel Kyte.

For her part, Kyte stated that the WB is strongly committed to a partnership with Viet Nam as the country has demonstrated its dedication to addressing these issues.

Regarding the effective and sustainable use of Mekong River water resources, the WB representative stated that the WB Group will coordinate with global efforts to facilitate a regional dialogue on the use of Mekong River resources.

VN gains small trade surplus in first half of August

Viet Nam made a trade surplus of US$ 17 million in the first half of August after suffering a trade deficit in the previous month.

Export volume valued US 6.193 billion and import turnover was US$ 6.176 billion. The positive results have lifted the trade surplus earned so far this year to US$ 1.81 billion.

As of mid August, export value touched US$ 90.079 billion, while the import value was US$ 88.268 billion.

E-tax service launched in 15 cities, provinces

By the end of August 2014, the General Department of Taxation will launch e-tax service at 15 cities and provinces nationwide.

These localities include Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

HN hosts Post & Logistics Committee Meeting

Trade union leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and the UNI Global Union Asia Pacific Regional Organization (UNI Apro) met to prioritize tasks and share information and experiences in boosting postal services as well as trade union activities in regional countries.

The annual meeting gave international trade unions the chance to gain a better understanding about Vietnamese trade unions’ activities as well as the country’s land and people, helping enhance people-to-people diplomacy.

Farm exports hit US$20.22 billion

Vietnamese exports from agriculture, forestry and fishery in the first eight months of the year jumped 11.9% on-year to US$20.22 billion.

Of the figure, agriculture export gross revenues were US$9.49 billion, up 5.7% on-year. Meanwhile, fishery and forestry product exports surge 25.4% toUS$4.95 billion and 12.5% to US$4.06 billion, respectively.

Seven-month exports to RoK increase 2.4%

Vietnamese exports to the Republic of Korea (RoK) rose 2.4% to US$3.66 billion in the first seven months of this year.

Garments took the lead, grossing US$921.7 million in value, representing an increase of 36.7% and accounting for one fourth of Vietnam’s total export earnings to the RoK.

They were closely followed by seafood which raked in US$343.8 million, up 52.8% against the same period last year.

Wood and wood products came third, earning US$267.8 million, up 47.4%.

By Thuy Dung