Press digest – January 9

NASC convenes sixth meeting

The sixth meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) was opened on January 9 in Ha Noi.

Addressing the opening ceremony, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan announced that this was the first meeting in 2017 and will last till January 11.

The NASC will review and pass two resolutions on order and procedures of the National Assembly, National Assembly Standing Committee, and NA delegations’ supervisory activities and coordinating regulations between the Supreme People’s Court and the Minister of National Defense over the management of military courts.

State President greets new Japanese Ambassador

State President Tran Dai Quang was convinced that the upcoming visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko would set a new hallmark in the bilateral ties.

State President Quang made the point on January 9 in Ha Noi while receiving Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam  Kunio Umeda and his spouse.  

PM approves pumped-storage hydropower project

The PM has given the green light to the construction of the Bac Ai pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant in the south central province of Ninh Thuan.

Invested by the Electricity of Vietnam, the project will be located in Bac Ai district’s Phuoc Tan and Phuoc Hoa communes.

It will consist of four turbines with combined capacity of 1,200MW.

Mekong Delta region focuses on strategic developments

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue has tasked ministries, agencies, and localities in the Mekong Delta Region to keep a close watch on strategic developments.

The Government leader made the point on January 8 in Can Tho city while chairing a meeting of the Southwest Steering Committee on its working performance in 2016 and tasks for 2017.

Natural resources serve for socio-economic development

The natural resources and environment ministry was determined to utilizing and developing natural resources for socio-economic development; protecting the environment in favor of sustainable growth.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha made the point on January 9.

Minister Ha revealed that in 2016, strategies and planning were updated in line with socio-economic development requirements.

Vietnamese, Lao defence ministers sign 2017 cooperation deal

Defense Minister, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich and his Lao counterpart, Sen. Lieut. Gen Chansamone Channhalat signed a cooperation agreement for 2017 during their talks in the central city of Da Nang on January 9. 

Hailing defense cooperation as one of the crucial pillars in bilateral ties, the two ministers pledged to heed practical efficiency of personnel training, facilitate all-level visits, and hold consultation on deputy ministerial-level defense policy, border defense exchanges and the first meeting in Vientiane for Lao military officers who once studied in Viet Nam. 

VN, China mark 67-year relations

A banquet and music performance was held in Ha Noi on January 9 to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the Viet Nam – China ties (January 18, 1950-2017) by the Ha Noi People’s Committee in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stated the establishment of diplomatic relations opened a new era for the two countries’ long-standing friendship.

WB holds consultation on national cooperation strategy

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the World Bank (WB) on January 9 organized a consultation on the national cooperation strategy for the 2017-2021 period in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

The conference drew the participation of representatives from provinces and cities, institutes and universities in the Mekong Delta region.

Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, said the national cooperation strategy between Vietnam and the WB in the next five years is a new and important one with priority given to climate change response.

Forbes: five engines guarantee VN’s economic growth in 2017

The US magazine Forbes said Vietnam can meet its target of 6.7% GDP growth in 2017 thanks to five engines, including its resources and trade agreements with other nations.

The magazine cited Oscar Mussons, international business advisory associate with the DezanShira& Associates consultancy in Ho Chi Minh City, as saying that firstly, Viet Nam keeps giving foreign companies reasons to invest thanks to its lower tariffs under the trade deals and clear rules on foreign investment. 

In 2017, Viet Nam will start to “collect the fruits of having a more structured and competitive business legislation, which is having an impact on attracting more FDI and also helping Vietnam become one of the major manufacturing hubs in the world,” he said.

Foreign beer companies boost investment in VN

With high growth potential, Viet Nam has become a promising destination for leading global beer companies, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper.

Belgian Anheuser Busch InBev firm opened a beer factory in the southern province of Binh Duong, while the Netherlands’ Heineken plans to expand its factory in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau and increase productivity from 50 million litres at present to 60 million litres by 2025./. 

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA)