Press digest – April 6

Nguyen Xuan Phuc nominated for PM position

On April 6, President Tran Dai Quang submitted a nomination list for the new Prime Minister to the National Assembly (NA) and Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc was nominated for the post of the new Prime Minister to replace PM Nguyen Tan Dung.

Lawmakers okay relief of PM Nguyen Tan Dung

The National Assembly on April 6 passed the removal of PM Nguyen Tan Dung from his duties and discussed the election of Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc as his successor.

With 418 votes of approval (or 84%), the NA agreed to dismiss Mr. Dung from his duties.  

On behalf of the NA, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan presented a bouquet and expressed her gratitude to PM Dung for his great contributions over the last term as the Head of the Government.

National Assembly passes draft laws

A number of draft laws sailed through the 11th meeting of the 13th National Assembly in Hanoi on April 6 with the majority of votes in favour.

They include the Law on Access to Information, the amended Pharmacy Law, the Law on amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on Value Added Tax, the Law on Special Consumption Tax, and the Law on Tax Management; and the revised Law on Export-Import Tariffs.

Government announces action plan on overseas Vietnamese

The Government announced an action plan to promote the implementation of the ninth Politburo’s Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on overseas Vietnamese from 2016 to 2020.

The goals include helping Vietnamese abroad have stable lives and integrate into their adopted countries; modifying and perfecting policies and laws concerning their wellbeing, and helping them stay connected to the Vietnamese language and culture. 

Provinces and cities are encouraged to step up activities to connect overseas Vietnamese, facilitate procedures to allow them to return to Viet Nam and coordinate with security agencies to protect them. 

Ministries are encouraged to propose measures to strengthen the protection and management of Vietnamese citizens overseas, labourers and students studying abroad, and adoption and marriage with foreign people.

Domestic credit growth expected to reach five-year high in 2016

Financial institutions in Viet Nam expect the banking system’s outstanding loans to increase 20.09 percent in 2016, the highest in the past five year, as per a report from the State Bank of VietNam (SBV)’s Monetary Forecasting and Statistics Department.

The report was made based on a survey of business trends among credit organisations in the country.

It stated that credit institutions adjusted their expectations on the growth of capital raising and outstanding debts in the year to a more rational level, which is still higher than earlier forecast.

MDEC-Hau Giang to take place in July

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh, Head of the South West Steering Committee, approved the organization of the Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation (MDEC) Forum 2016 in Hau Giang province.

Under the title, “The Mekong Delta – Active integration and sustainable development,” the event will be held from July 11-15.

French magazine commends VN’s reform achievements

Francophonie Actualites, an established French magazine, devoted 40 pages in a special edition to highlighting the achievements Viet Nam has recorded over the past 30 years of Doi Moi (reform).

The publication’s cover had an image of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and it included various articles picturing a Viet Nam of political stability, high economic growth, social progress and equality.

Irrigation projects prioritised to tackle drought in Central Highlands

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is prioritising fund allocations for major irrigation projects in Central Highlands provinces to increase water supply for agriculture amid severe drought. 

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan, the ministry has invested 3.5 trillion VND to construct the Ia Mo irrigation system in Gia Lai province and the Krong Pak Thuong Reservoir in Dak Lak province. 

It has proposed the building of a number of key irrigation projects between 2016 and 2020 with an estimated investment of 7.4 trillion VND to be funded by government bonds. 

No restrictions to travel HCM City, Khanh Hoa after Zika cases

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and tourism has asked local authorities and enterprises to strictly monitor the development of Zika virus and inform travelers about current health issues.

It required relevant ministries and localities to provide businesses and visitors with preventive measures as guided by the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health cited the World Health Organization (WHO) to warn pregnant women to consider travel to the infected areas./.

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA)