Weekly press digest – April 13-18
April 20, 2015 8:46 AM GMT+7
State President to attend Asian-African Conference in Indonesia
State President Truong Tan Sang will attend the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia from April 22-23 at the invitation of President JokoWidodo.
The Vietnamese Head of State will also attend the Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (also known as Bandung Conference) and the 10th anniversary of the Asian-African strategic partnership on April 24.
Norway highly values MDGs outcomes
PM Erna Solberg affirmed that Norway expects to strengthen relations with Viet Nam during her talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung.
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The two PMs expressed their pleasure at the fine development of the bilateral ties, especially in politics, development cooperation, education and training, between the two countries over the four decades.
Both sides agreed to further enhance the exchange of delegations at all level, security and defense cooperation, boost the current political dialogue mechanisms, and encourage business communities to seek investment opportunities in such prioritized areas like maritime economy, aquaculture, energy, information technology and green growth.
Quy Nhon to become center of central coastal region by 2025
The PM has approved adjustments to a master development plan for Quy Nhon city and surrounding areas in central Binh Dinh province to 2035 in a vision to 2050.
The planning is on 67,788ha, covering Quy Nhoncity; Tuy Phuoc district; Canh Vinh and Canh Hiencommunes in Van Canh district; Cat Tienand CatChanh communes and a part of Cat Haicommune inPhu Cat district.
The master plan aims to develop Quy Nhon into a center of the central coastal region by 2015 with a focus on industry, port, services and tourism. By 2035, the city is expected to become a national maritime economic center developed on the basis of services, port, industry and tourism.
Deputy PM calls for final plans for Phu Quoc EZ
Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the southern Kien Giang provincial authorities to finalise the Phu Quoc special economic zone master plan soon.
The plan will then be submitted to the Politburo for approval.
Under the plan, the 58,923ha Phu Quoc special economic zone will have a two-tier administration, one at the EZ level and the other at ward and commune levels.
DPM Nguyen Xuan Phuc to attend WEF on East Asia
Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc will lead a Vietnamese delegation to join the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia from April 20-21.
The information was released at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regular press conference.
At the event, Deputy PM Phuc will hold discussions with world leaders on regional and international economic, political issues such as regional integration and connectivity, role and impacts of the ASEAN Economic Community, regional and international economic development trends, which will help promote economic ties between Viet Nam and other countries.
VN opposes Chinese reef expansion in Truong Sa
Responding to questions from reporters about Viet Nam's reaction the April 9 speech by Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Hua Chunyingabout the expansion of underground reefs in Truong Sa, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh at regular press briefing in Ha Noi said “Regarding this issue, Viet Nam has repeatedly communicated with China including at senior levels. Once again we declare Viet Nam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence validating its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands.”
VN cuts import tariffs on oil products
Viet Nam cut import taxes levied on oil products from countries which it does not have free trade agreements with, effective on April 15.
Import tariffs on gasoline and kerosene have been cut to 20% from 35%, diesel to 20% from 30%, fuel oil to 25% from 35%, and to 10% for jet fuel from 25% previously.
The adjustment aimed at preventing an increase in domestic oil product prices when the country tripled the environmental protection fees on petroleum products from May this year, a representative from the Finance Ministry said.
VN helps Laos develop infrastructure
The Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) sealed credit contracts to provide roughly $147 million for the construction of two infrastructure projects in Laos.
The bank is lending US$26.84 million to the Lao Government to build a 97-kilometre road, and $120 million to launch an infrastructure development project in a district in Houaphanprovince.
Da Nang remains 1st in PCI rankings
The central city of Da Nang maintained the 1stposition in Viet Nam’s annual Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2014.
This information was released by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) at a meeting held in Ha Noi.
This is the fourth time that the city has topped this rankings. According to the analysis of the PCI’s researchers, the city launched effectively “The year for Businesses 2014” program and facilitated businesses' development by speeding up the administrative reform and tackling obstacles for the business community.
By Ngoc Van
