Press digest – September 22

State leader embarks on fact-finding tour to Gia Lai province

President Truong Tan Sang paid a working visit to the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on September 21-22 to assess the local socio-economic situation, the implementation of administrative reform, and the new-style rural area building.

He told the province to pay attention to villages with particular disadvantages, and closely monitor the implementation of socio-economic targets.

The leader underlined the need to strictly preserve protective forests and ensure sufficient land for agricultural production. He called for the application of cutting-edge technologies in farming and animal husbandry to increase yields per unit.

DPM Hai meets with Dutch PM

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai on September 22 (local time) met with Dutch PM Mark Rutte during his tour to the Netherlands.

The Netherlands stands ready to share experience, technology and resources on some areas where Viet Nam has demand, said the host leader.

The guest leader took the occasion to seek further supports from the Dutch Government and the PM personally for the cooperative fields between the two countries, especially on climate change adaptation, water management, and agriculture.

VN, Netherlands discuss water management cooperation

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz on Monday co-chaired the 4th session of the Viet Nam-Netherlands Intergovernmental Commission on climate change adaptation and water management.

The two sides reviewed the outcomes of the implementation of the strategic partnership on climate change and water management since the previous session.

They discussed on orientations for future cooperation in 2015, focusing on sustainable urban management and water storage in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta.

On the occasion, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz signed a Memorandum of Understanding on water planning for the Red-Thai Binh River Basin.

Benin recognizes VN’s market economy

Benin Republic President Boni Yayi has reaffirmed his nation’s recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy at a recent reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Truong Giang who came to present his credentials.

Regarding the Viet Nam-Benin relations, the Benin President underlined the need for both sides to exchange information on market and potentiality while expressing his country’s wish to boost imports of Vietnamese goods such as rice and consumer goods.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin awarded a diplomatic note on Benin’s recognition of Viet Nam’s full market economy.

This year, the Republic of Benin is the second West African country after Cote d'Ivoire having recognized Viet Nam's market economy. Last year Morocco also acknowledged the Southeast Asian country’s status. 

VN ends worker evacuation operation in Libya

As of September 21 the Vietnamese government has successfully evacuated most of its 1,763 guest workers trapped amidst the escalating conflict in war torn Libya, returning them safely to the homeland.

Pham Viet Huong, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)'s Department for Overseas Labour Management (DOLM), made the announcement saying 1,758 Vietnamese guest workers have now escaped the violence plaguing this North African nation.

VN takes the lead in fish export to Colombia

Viet Nam was the number 1 fish provider for Colombia in 2013, with a 36 percent market share in the South American country.

It was followed by Argentina (9%), Cote d’lvoire (8%) and Ecuador (8%).

According to data from the Virtual Business Centre (Centro Virtual de Negocios - CVN), last year, Colombia imported 78,000 tonnes of fish worth US$ 188 million, up 41% in volume compared to the previous year.

HCM City announces CPI growth

Ho Chi Minh City recorded a rise in its Consumption Price Index (CPI) in September 2014, the municipal Statistics Office revealed on September 22.

The figure increased by 1.13% compared to the previous month, and the office reported a year-on-year increase of 3.16%.

According to the office, prices for educational goods and services increased the most compared to August, up by more than 19 percent, as consumers stocked up on school supplies for the new academic year. Equipment and household items increased by 0.39%; apparel and footwear by 0.3% and beverages and tobacco by 0.14%.

HN: CPI surges sharply in September

Ha Noi’s consumer price index (CPI) in September saw a month-on-month increase of 0.51% and a year-on-year surge of 3.26%, according to the Municipal Statistics Office.

The local experts attributed the CPI surge to an 8.55% increase in the education fees at universities and colleges in accordance with the roadmap approved by the PM.

Vinatex launched initial public offering (IPO)

The Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) launched an initial public offering (IPO) on September 22, announced the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

After the auction, more than 110.5 million shares were sold to 87 investors at the average price of VND 11,000 (US$ 0.49) per share, half of which belonged to foreign investors.

Under the approved equitisation plan, of the VND 5 trillion (US$ 234.7 million) charter capital which is equivalent to 500 million shares, 122 million would be sold in the IPO.The plan allowed the State to hold 51% of the capital, and the local staff to buy 3 million shares, or 0.6% of the charter capital.

Car imports skyrocket in 8 months

In the first eight months of the year, Viet Nam imported an estimated 37,300 vehicles valued at US$806 million, up 71.5% in volume and 91.9% in value compared to last year’s corresponding period, Viet Nam Customs reports.

Of the figure, the Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the top supplier of automobiles to Viet Nam with a 4.3% on-year jump to 10,300 units, followed by Thailand (over 7,400 units, up 64.3%).

Meanwhile, in August 2014 alone, Viet Nam Customs statistics show that Chinese automobile exports to Viet Nam posted an astonishing on-month growth rate of 187% to over 7,000 units valued at US$274 million.

Khmer celebrate Sene Dolta Festival

Thousands of Khmer people in the Mekong Delta region are celebrating the Sene Dolta festival, a joyful annual celebration to honour ancestors.

This year’s event is held from September 22-24. On this occasion, authorities in the Mekong Delta provinces, home to a large population of Khmer, organised meetings and visited dignitaries and monks at a number of pagodas as well as local Khmer residents in their communities./.

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA)