Press digest – June 26
PM orders IT development, application
PM Nguyen Tan Dung chaired the first meeting of the National Committee on Information Technology (IT), which focuses on developing four pillars of the IT sector, namely IT human resources, IT industry, IT infrastructure and IT application as well as proposing measures to apply the technology at State agencies and in public services.
The PM asked for continuing implementing effectively the plan on “Making Viet Nam soon become a strong country in information technology and communications”.
He also required the establishment of e-Government, concentrating on setting up a national database system, a system monitoring State management and providing online public services.
VN rejects China’s new “cow tongue” map
Viet Nam rejects China’s new vertical map that includes a cow tongue line covering nearly the entire East Sea, said Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh.
Mr. Binh re-affirmed Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and demanded China immediately stop all the illegal actions, respect international law, strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and not repeat the same actions in the future.
VN, Laos promote “one-stop-shop” model at border gates
Vietnam and Laos have agreed to intensify inspection work following the “one-stop-shop” model at the Lao Bao-Dansavanh international border gates.
Accordingly, agencies of the two sides will be enabled to supervise import-export and entry-exit activities to help realize the cross-border transport facilitation agreement between Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries.
The “one-stop-shop” customs mechanism aims to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate the flow of vehicles and goods.
Aquatic exports hit US$3.45 billion in first half
In June, Viet Nam earned US$536 million, bringing the total aquatic export turnover to US$3.45 billion in the first half of the year, up 24.2% compared to the same period last year.
The exports of the products to the US over the past five months attained US$671.86 million, up 45.83%.
Other markets witnessed sharp increases such as Japan up 8.36%, the Republic of Korea up 45.92% and China up 51.74%.
FDI disbursement in first half slightly increases
The total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) disbursement in the first half of 2014 reached US$5.75 billion, a year-on-year increase of 0.9%.
The total registered capital of foreign investors in Viet Nam hit US$6.85 billion over the past six months of the year, equal to 64.7% of the same period last year.
As of June 20, 656 projects have been licensed, valuing US$4.85 billion, equal to 93.2% of the same period last year.
Some 219 projects were added a total capital of US$1.99 billion, equal to 37%.
VN, Philippines enter into cruise partnership
Viet Nam and the Philippines signed a cooperation plan on cruise tourism in the 2014-16 period, aiming at making the best use of sea potentials for their sustainable development.
The two sides will work closely to develop promotion and marketing program for this tourism product. They will provide all possible conditions for their travel firms to set up projects in the field.
VN, Japan holds high-level dialogue on agriculture
Viet Nam and Japan held their first high-level dialogue on agricultural development cooperation.
The two sides will focus on cooperation in science, technology and the application of new technologies in agricultural production, processing and post-harvest preservation in order to increase the food value chain.
Foreign arrivals increase by 21% in six months
Viet Nam has received nearly 4.3 million foreign travelers during the first six months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 21.11%.
VNAT statistics show that considerable growth was reported in most markets, with Hong Kong rising 140.61%, German 115.87%, Laos 38.83%, China 37.45%, Cambodia 30.09%, Russia 25.95%, and Spain 25.73%.
In the first half of the year, Ha Noi capital welcomed more than 1.39 million visitors, representing a 17.4% increase year on year.
By Thuy Dung
