Weekly digest – November 14-20
APEC growth requires joint efforts of businesses and Governments
State President Tran Dai Quang urged APEC businesses to work with Governments to seek new impetuses for economic growth while co-chairing the dialogue and group meeting with APEC Business Advisory Council in Lima, Peru on November 19.
State President Quang highlighted the determination of APEC economies to consistently pursue free trade and investment, accelerate growth quality, and support businesses, especially micro and small businesses to grasp opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution and digital era.
State President Quang, US President Barack Obama and leaders of other 10 member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) met in Peru on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.
State President busy on sidelines of APEC Leaders’ Week
State president Tran Dai Quang on November 18 met with Vice President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla on the sidelines of the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.
State President Quang and the Indonesian Vice President agreed to continue deepening the relations between Viet Nam and Indonesia, focusing on anti-terrorism, maritime security, and organized crime areas.
State President Tran Dai Quang held talks with Peruvian President Pedro Paplo Kuczynsky in Lima capital on November 18 on the sidelines of the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.
NA passes State budget allocation
The National Assembly adopted a resolution on State budget allocation for 2017 on November 14 in Ha Noi.
With 405 votes in favor (82.15%), the NA approved theresolution which stipulated VND 729,730 billion (US$ 33.1 billion) as central budget revenue and VND 428,450 billion (US$ 20 billion) as local budget revenue.
Total central budget spending is VND 902,030 billion (US$ 41 billion). Around VND 254,630 (US$11.5 billion) will be added to local budget.
PM directly answers NA deputies’ questions for first time
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc clarified the issues raised during the ongoing question-and-answer session of the 14th National Assembly on the morning of November 17. It was the first time PM Phuc directly answered NA deputies’ queries since being the government leader.
PM Phuc made clear the questions posed by 37 NA deputies relating to many hot issues of voters’ concern, including economic development, administrative reform, corruption prevention and fighting, and determination to construct a constructive government of integrity, solidarity and unity to best fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Party, State and people.
PM receives Prince William
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the developments in Viet Nam-United Kingdom (UK) Strategic Partnership at his reception for Prince of the UK, Duke of Cambridge William Arthur Philip Louis on November 16.
Viet Nam facilitates the UK’s investors to launch business in Viet Nam, said the PM, expressing his hope that the Prince will take measures to enhance the bilateral relations, especially in terms of economics, trade and investment.
The Vietnamese Government is determined to struggling against illegal wildlife trade and boosting up the completion of institution, said the PM, affirming that Viet Nam will do its utmost to successfully organize the conference, which will be co-chaired by the Prince.
PM approves 7-day Lunar New Year break
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a 7-day Lunar New Year break, which was proposed by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Seven days off for the New Year holiday will last from January 26 to February 1, 2017.
U.S., VN working together to combat wildlife trafficking
U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam Ted Osius announced the new U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Saving Species project to reduce wildlife crime in support of the Government of Viet Nam’s commitment to effectively enforce its conservation laws and international treaties to protect endangered and threatened species.
The five-year USAID Saving Species project will reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife products, build wildlife law enforcement and prosecution capacity, and augment and harmonize the legal framework for combating wildlife crime in Viet Nam.
By Thuy Dung
