Press digests – April 1

State President talks national defence task
 
Strengthening the defence potential and maintaining national security and territorial integrity is an essential, frequent task of the entire Party, State, armed forces, and people, said State President Truong Tan Sang.

At a working session with the Ministry of Defence in Ha Noi, Sang stressed the Party and State attach great importance to building an all people-based border guard front, creating a solid, strong bloc of great national unity.

Government convenes March meeting

The Government members gathered for a monthly meeting under the chairmanship of PM Nguyen Tan Dung.
 
PM Dung gave an overall evaluation of the first-quarter performance this year, saying that socio-economic situation has recorded positive developments, creating a stimulus for better results to be achieved in the following quarters.

Government members stated shortcomings should be fixed, particularly in production, trade, aquaculture, food price declines and real estate market.

Concluding the meeting, PM Dung urged ministries, agencies and localities to thoroughly grasp the

Government’s directions to fulfill effectively their assigned tasks.

PM Dung greets foreign ambassadors

PM Nguyen Tan Dung hosted separate receptions for the outgoing Chinese Ambassador and the new Ambassadors of Thailand and Egypt in Ha Noi.

Meeting Chinese Ambassador Kong Xuanyou, PM Dung expressed hope for close coordination to realise agreements reached by Vietnamese and Chinese leaders while facilitating cultural and people-to-people exchange.

 
Welcoming Thai Ambassador Panyarak Poolthup, Dung recommended win-win partnerships in potential areas, expressing his belief that Thailand will stabilise its situation as soon as possible, for the sake of itself and ASEAN also.

In his reception for Egyptian Ambassador Boutros Hanna, the host called for stronger cooperation at regional and global forums, especially at the United Nations.
 
 
Bulgarian PM to visit VN

Bulgaria’s PM Plamen Oreshaski and his spouse will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from April 6-9 at the invitation of PM Nguyen Tan Dung, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday.
 
VN backs ASEAN connectivity through law
 
During the third seminar on ‘ASEAN integration via laws’ in Ha Noi Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son affirmed that Viet Nam supports the promotion of the role of law in connecting and building an ASEAN community.

Viet Nam is always active in negotiations on the ASEAN Charter and implementation of its articles, said Son.
Viet Nam has actively improved its laws to match with ASEAN practices and regulations in economic connectivity, political and security cooperation, especially maritime security, the official stressed.

Industrial production edges 4.7% in March
 
Viet Nam’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for March edged up 4.7% on the same month last year.
 
In the first three months of 2014, the IIP recorded a year-on-year rise of 5.2%, higher than the rate of 5% in 2013.
Several industries posted increases such as textile (20.2%), leather and leather products (19.4%) and ready-made clothes (14%).
 
Australian wool producers market products in VN
 
The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is introducing Vietnamese businesses to its wool products to expand its exports in the Southeast Asian nation.

AWI is also building up contact with Vietnamese businesses to transfer their modern wool and yarn processing technology.

The move helps Australia reduce its reliance on the Chinese market as 75% of its wool is exported to China.

Russia - VN’s 18th largest foreign investor
 
Russia currently has 97 investment projects in Viet Nam with a combined capitalization of $1.95 billion, ranking it the 18thlargest foreign investor in the country.

Ministry of Planning and Investment statistics show Russian investments are mostly focused on processing and manufacturing with 34 projects totaling $1.1 billion.

The mining industry has attracted 7 projects valued at $581.2 million, and the real estate industry has lured 3 projects worth $72.7 million.

Ha Noi to host Francophonie cooperation forum
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) will jointly host a forum on economic cooperation forum in Ha Noi on April 3-4.

The forum aims to expand the Francophonie business network by creating a dialogue to stimulate economic exchanges and develop key potential cooperative relationships for the benefit of the economic development.

                                                                                                               Source: VGP,VNA,VOV