Press digest – March 27

PM: VN hopes for more investment from Singaporean firm

Viet Nam will create favorable conditions for investors, including Singapore’s CapitaLand Group, to operate successfully in Viet Nam, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told visiting President and CEO of CapitaLand Lim Ming Yan. 

During a reception for Lim Ming Yan in Ha Noi on March 27, the Vietnamese leader appreciated CapitaLand’s investment in building new urban development model in Viet Nam, and wished the firm to consider developing new urban projects regarding the demand and long-term interests of local communities. 

He suggested CapitaLand implement green, clean and beautiful urban projects in Viet Nam like those carried out successfully by the firm in many areas in Asia, helping the country realize sustainable development goals and stabilize its real estate market. 

PM hails HN – Vientiane cooperation

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has hailed the cooperation between Ha Noi and the Lao capital city of Vientiane and expected the two cities to continue their exchanges and support.

During his reception for visiting Vientiane Governor Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune in Ha Noi on March 27, PM Phuc hailed the Lao Governor’s visit to Ha Noi, saying that it contributes to consolidating the bilateral ties between the two cities.

He highlighted the special and traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Laos, describing it as a priceless common asset the two nations need to treasure and promote in the future.

Party chief hosts Governor of Vientiane

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underscored the importance of Viet Nam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation during his reception in Ha Noi on March 27 for Governor of Laos’ Vientiane capital Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune. 

The Party chief hailed the visit which is concurrent with the 55th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. 

Speaking highly of the outcomes of the working session between Ha Noi authorities and the Vientiane delegation, and cooperation between the two capital cities over the past years, Trong wished that Vientiane would continue working closely with Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnamese localities to further improve the efficiency of wide-ranging coordination, including sharing experience in the building of the Party and political system, and socio-economic management. 

PM gives green light to build Song Cong IP in Thai Nguyen

The PM has approved a proposal on investment in infrastructure facilities for the Song Cong II Industrial Park (IP) in Song Cong city, the northern province of Thai Nguyen.

The plan aims to develop infrastructure facilities to lure more investors in the IP, particularly in machinery manufacturing, mechanical engineering, automobile production and assembling, electronic products, thus contributing to local socio-economic development.

World Bank releases report on food safety in VN

Food safety is becoming a great concern for the public, according to a report released by the World Bank in Viet Nam during a seminar in Ha Noi on March 27. 

The report showed that 80% of pork and 85% of vegetables are mostly sold in wet markets in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City while 76% of pork are slaughtered in small and dirty facilities. 

Food-derived diseases are mainly caused by micro-organism contamination. Besides, abuse of chemicals used in agriculture is a challenge for food safety.

SBV: commercial banks’ interest rate adjustment normal

It is normal for commercial banks to adjust their interest rates in accordance with their business strategies and market situation, said the State Bank of Viet Nam.

While some banks raised deposit interest rates, others reduced theirs by 0.1-0.3% per year.

The Viet Nam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), Viet Nam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VietBank) and Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB Bank) decreased their interest rates by 0.1-0.3% for deposits of different terms.

HN shares administrative reform experience with Vientiane

Ha Noi officials shared experience in administrative reforms with officials of Laos’s Vientiane capital city at a discussion on March 27.

Vientiane Governor Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune said Laos has just begun administrative reforms while Ha Noi has obtained initial outcomes in this work. Vientiane wants to learn from HaNoi’s experience to build a synchronous and modern administration, thus helping to promote local socio-economic development.

Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said the capital city considers administrative reforms as one of the three breakthroughs to be achieved between 2016 and 2020. Information technology is the main tool to carry out administrative reforms with a view to improving the management, steering and effectiveness of the apparatus.

Tra fish exports to Brazil up 17.2%

Tra fish exports to Brazil soared by 17.2% to US$12.1 million in the first month of this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep).

If the next few months are on an upward trajectory, the South American nation will overtake ASEAN to become the fourth largest importers of Viet Nam's tra fish behind the US, EU, Hong Kong (China)./.

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA)