Press digest – July 21

WB finance project aids VN's rural areas

Viet Nam has set a good example in implementing the rural finance model, after completing three rural finance projects with a total capital of US$548 million. The World Bank provided US$200 million for the 3rd one.

World Bank Country Director Victoria Kwakwa noted that Viet Nam has successfully realized the rural finance model.

Speaking at the workshop completion assessment of third rural finance project, Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai highly valued the importance of the capital granted to Viet Nam by the World Bank and other international institutions. As a result, the country has made great achievements in improving living standards and reducing poverty rate in rural areas.

Sri Lanka, VN need to fight crimes together: Deputy PM

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Sri Lanka to work closely with Viet Nam to fight crimes, especially those involving e-commerce and credit, in accordance with their signed agreements.

Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Law and Order Nanda Mallawaarachchi, expressed his hope that the ties between the two nations will go a long way for the sake of both nations.

Exports hit US$5.82 bln in 15 days of July

Viet Nam’s export and import turnover reached US$11.9 billion over the past 15 days of July.

Of which, the exports and imports attained US$5.82 billion and US$6.08 billion, or year-on-year increases of 11% and 20.8%, respectively.

As of July 15, the nation gained nearly US$76.8 billion, up 14.7% from exporting. Viet Nam enjoyed a trade surplus of US$1.39 billion.

HN: July CPI up 0.18%

Ha Noi’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July increased 0.18% against the previous month and up 6.39% compared to the same period last year.

Ten out of the 11 commodities saw increased prices. Meanwhile, the price of postal services and telecommunications remained unchanged.

Japan builds 180 composite fishing boats for VN

Japan’s Yanmar Company is implementing a pilot project to supply 180 composite vessels to Vietnamese fishermen to help them increase tuna yield and quality.

The company is coordinating with the University of Nha Trang Ship Institute to design and manufacture the first composite boats, each costing VND8 billion. The first vessel of its kind will be launched in Khanh Hoa early next month.

HCM City, Japan sign a metro contract

The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways and Japanese consortium contractor Shimizu-Meada signed a contract (bidding package 1B) to build two metro stations in HCM City.

The JPY23.7 billion contract is part of the metro route No. 1 project connecting Ben Thanh Market with Suoi Tien Theme Park. Two underground stations dubbed Municipal Opera Theatre and Ba Son, will be built, using the top-down approach.

The metro route No.1 has a total length of 19.7km, including a 2.6km underground section.

VN, RoK hold defense policy dialogue

Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea reviewed global and regional security, especially in Northeast Asia, ASEAN, and the East Sea at a defense policy dialogue in Ha Noi.

They also agreed on measures to strengthen Viet Nam-RoK cooperation in the defense industry and share experience in joining UN peacekeeping operations.

Trade surplus with Australia reaches US$924 million

Two-way trade between Viet Nam and Australia in the first six months of the year peaked at over US$2.86 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$924 million.

Of the total, Viet Nam’s export earnings hit US$1.89 billion, up 24.3% year-on-year, and its imports fetched US$971.56 million, up 37.3%.

By Thuy Dung