Weekly digest – May 16-22

General Election – people’s festival

The election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure on May 22 is truly a festival, enthusiastically joined by the entire people.

The election is the largest ever in scale with over 69 million voters across the country casting their votes to pick up the most competent candidates, who will represent them at a 500-seat National Assembly, as well as People’s Councils at all levels nationwide.

Up to 63,312,495 voters, or 95.84%, went to the polls by 5 pm, as updated by the National Election Council’s Office.

Party chief receives Lao Prime Minister

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Ha Noi on May 16.

The Party chief underlined the significance of the Lao high-level government delegation’s visit to Viet Nam to deepening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation between the two countries.

He congratulated Laos on its remarkable, historical and comprehensive achievements gained over the past 30 years of renovation as well as the successful organization of the 10th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and elections of deputies to the 8th National Assembly.

PM addresses ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a speech at the Commemorative Summit marking the 20 th anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership in Sochi, Russia on May 20, affirming Viet Nam’s stance on reinforcing the ASEAN-Russia ties in a practical and effective manner.

The PM proposed that ASEAN and Russia pay attention to reinforcing political-security cooperation, especially in marine security and terrorism and transnational crime prevention.

They should increase dialogues at all levels, including high-ranking dialogue, coordinate closely at ASEAN-led regional foreign and security mechanisms, build cooperation mechanisms, and implement appropriate measures, he said, adding that ASEAN hopes Russia supports the bloc’s central role in the region.

PM holds bilateral meetings on ASEAN-Russia summit sidelines

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc had bilateral meetings with leaders of Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in Russia’s Sochi on May 19 on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations.

During the meetings, they affirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, and aviation and maritime security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, while handling sea disputes based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

State President urges WB to promote its coordination role

State President Tran Dai Quang has called on the World Bank (WB) to carry forward its coordination role and mobilize more financial support to help Vietnam deal with challenges hindering its integration and socio-economic development, especially those in climate change response, renewable energy development, health care and education.

The State leader met with WB Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region Victoria Kwakwa in Ha Noi on May 19, where he called for his guest’s backing of Viet Nam’s efforts to access preferential resources via the bank, particularly the International Development Association’s loans.

Noting her desire for more chances to contribute to coping with drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta region, the official told her host that the bank will soon submit a number of projects on education reform, land management and policy reform in combination with climate change response.

Resolution on business support, development by 2020 issued

The Government has issued a Resolution on business support and development by 2020.

The private sector will contribute 48-49% of the GDP and 49% of the social investment capital. The Total Factor Productivity (TFP) will make up 30-35% of the GDP. The social labor capacity will rise 5% per year. Every year, around 30-35% of Vietnamese enterprises will launch creative renovation activities.

The Resolution sets the goals of enhancing administrative reforms, facilitating businesses' operation, making the administrative reform as part of the e-Government establishment, and creating a favorable condition for newly-established enterprises.

It proposes reducing 50% of personal income tax in some fields, simplifying and reducing procedures on land, facilitating the commercialization of businesses’ products, renewing the lending process, reviewing sector and product development plans, lessening business expenditures for businesses and not criminalizing economic relations.

Start-up ecosystem for new innovative enterprises project to be launched

The PM has approved the national project on supporting the start-up ecosystem for new innovative enterprises till the year 2025.

The project is aimed at creating a favorable environment to accelerate and support the formation and establishment of enterprises with intellectual property, technology and new business models.

Resettlement policy frame of Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience ratified

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh has approved the resettlement policy frame of the Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project, which is financed by the World Bank (WB).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will monitor and supervise the implementation of the policy frame.

VN protests against China’s fishing moratorium in East Sea

Viet Nam adamantly opposes China’s fishing suspension – a void decision – in the East Sea, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh has said.

He responded to reporters’ question regarding China’s announcement of the time, area and measures for implementing a moratorium from noon of May 16 to noon of August 1.

He added that Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, as well as its legitimate rights over its sea areas, which are specified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

By Thuy Dung