Weekly press digest – March 23 -29

NA Chairman welcomes IPU President, Secretary General

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Saber Chowdhury and Secretary GeneralMartin Chungong.

The IPU President and Secretary General lauded Viet Nam’s preparations for the IPU-132.

Mr. Saber Chowdhury asserted that with 166 members, the IPU holds its 132nd assembly in the context where the international community experience a new development period where the role of parliaments and delegates is increasingly crucial.

The official hoped that the successful organization of the event will contribute to the joint development of the IPU and the international community. 
 
132nd IPU Assembly opens
 
More than 900 legislators around the world gathered in Ha Noi on Saturday to attend the opening ceremony of the 132nd Inter-parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132).
 
IPU-132 is a political event of great historical and diplomatic significance, which shows the proactiveness of the National Assembly of Viet Nam in further integrating into the world and its responsible participation in IPU.

Under the theme “The sustainable development goals: Turning words into action”, the Assembly will discuss measures towards sustainable development with gender equality objectives integrated into all activities of sustainable development goals similar to the process of realising millennium goals.

IPU-132 provides a chance to assess the outcomes of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to propose the Sustainable Development Goals for the post-2015 period.

Women parliamentarians seek gender equality frameworks

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has re-affirmed Viet Nam's long-time policy in promoting gender equality and empowering women, when addressing the 21st Meeting of the Women

Parliamentarians at the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Ha Noi.

He stressed that the Constitution and the Law on Gender Equality of Viet Nam recognised the rights of equality for both male and female citizens in all areas of society.

He also said he hoped the meeting would be an opportunity for members to exchange information and develop initiatives and suggestions to create a favourable environment for promoting gender equality in each country, as well as throughout the world.

PM chairs conference on boosting administrative reforms

PM Nguyen Tan Dung chaired a national online conference held on March 26 to review and boost the country’s administrative reforms.

According to a report by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in 2014 ministries, sectors and localities achieved important results in improving institution, organization, administrative procedures and personnel policy through reforms in various aspects of administrative operation.

In 2015, the master plan on administrative reforms in the 2011-2020 will be implemented nationwide while the operation of the Government’s Steering Committee on Administrative Reforms will be enhanced.

One-door policy will also be implemented at district level after being approved.

PM Dung asks for urgent rescue in scaffolding collapse

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has issued Dispatch No.417/CD-TTg on steering rescue work in the scaffolding collapse at a construction site in the Vung Ang Economic Zone in central Ha Tinh province.

PM Dung conveyed deep condolences to families of the victims and asked the Ha Tinh provincial

People’s Committee to step up the search for those still trapped under the rubble, ensure safety for rescue forces, visit and ecnourage the injured and coordinate with local authorities to organise funerals for the victims.

He also required the People’s Committee to steer relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the scaffolding collapse and punish strictly violations in accordance with legal regulations.

CPI in March increases 0.15%

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March only increased 0.15% against the previous month and witnessed a year-on-year increase of 0.93% despite the rise in the prices of oil and electricity.

The rise in the oil and gas price only contributed to 0.04% in the CPI of March.

The CPI in this month decreased 0.1% compared to December 2014.

HN in top 10 Travellers' Choice Destinations in 2015

Ha Noi, the capital of Viet Nam, has been listed among Top 10 Travellers' Choice Destinations.

The world's largest travel review site TripAdvisor has revealed the world's best travel destinations for this year in its 2015 Travellers' Choice awards.

Accordingly, Ha Noi took the fourth place in the list. The historic and cultural capital Ha Noi may be best known for its French colonial architecture, but it's also forging a contemporary path. 

More foreign owned banks to open in VN

The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has allowed Malaysia’s Public Bank Berhad (PBB) to acquire all stakes owned by Vietnamese lender, the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), in their joint venture VID Public Bank.

In the recent document No. 1721/NHNN-TTGSNH, the SBV Governor agreed that after the acquisition, PBB will turn the VID Public - the biggest joint venture bank in Viet Nam - into a 100% foreign owned bank in the country.

VID Public and PBB have been requested to meet all conditions and requirements to make the adjustment.

                                                                                                                            By Vien Nhu