Vietnam keen to receive donor support

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his wish for international donors to continue cooperating with Vietnam during its development at the meeting of the Consultative Group for Vietnam in Hanoi on December 10.

Delegates at the event. (Source: VNA)

Themed “Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Development”, the event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh and World Bank Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa.

Addressing the event, Dung also spoke highly of the drastic and comprehensive measures taken to rein in inflation, stabilise the macro-economy and ensure social welfare. Vietnam has seen a positive change in socio-economic performance with this year’s estimated GDP growth of 5.2 percent and inflation remaining at 7.5 percent.

However, amid global economic turmoil, Dung also highlighted challenges faced by Vietnam’s economy, including unsteady inflation control and macro-economic performances, social welfare policy and programmes to reduce poverty and create jobs. In addition, salary reforms are yet to meet demand, and there is slow equitisation of State-owned enterprises and unimproved economic competitiveness.

These challenges stimulate flexible and effective management in the Government as it mobilises domestic and foreign resources to remove obstacles in the short-term. On the other hand, the Government will also prepare conditions for higher growth next year and create a foundation for sustainable development over the long term, Dung said.

According to him, to reach socio-economic development goals, Vietnam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs in line with restructuring the economy. They include renewing growth models in a sustainable manner, gradually improving business competitiveness, and enriching the economic and social environment to attract resources and stimulate growth and development.

Vietnam will increase leadership efficiency in combination with reforming administrative procedures, clamping down on corruption and wastefulness, and maintaining political stability, social order and safety, he added.

Vinh said 2013 is a core year to implement the 2011–2015 socio-economic development plan, and is forecast to remain a tough year not only for Vietnam but donor countries also.

He pledged to continue working closely with donors to step up the progress of projects, enhance the efficiency of the use of official development assistance and improve dialogue as ODA is crucial to reducing poverty in Vietnam.

Kwakwa said the event will air significant issues in the development of Vietnam, including high-quality human resources training and the management and use of land.

On behalf of the donors, she vowed to stand side-by-side with Vietnam during its development.

South African Ambassador receives peace insignia

Ambassador of South Africa Ratubatsi Super Moloi has been awarded the “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” insignia for his contributions to fostering bilateral ties during his term of office in Vietnam.
   
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong presented the award to the ambassador in Hanoi on December 10.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hong stressed that the award honours the ambassador’s tireless contributions to improving friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

For his part, Moloi affirmed that he will continue to contribute to the consolidation and development of the relationship between the two nations.

Uncle Ho monument inaugurated in Gia Lai

The biggest bronze statue of President Ho Chi Minh was unveiled in the Central Higland province of Gia Lai on December 9.

The 10.8m high statue, featuring Uncle Ho standing tall waving his right hand, is put on a 4.5m throne on a 12ha square in the centre of Pleiku City. Behind him is a circle of stone relief with scenes of local people’s daily life, production and fighting activities.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recalled the warm love that President Ho showed to ethnic people in the Central Highlands throughout his lifetime. At the same time, the people see him as their beloved father, who showed them the way to overcome all hardship to gain freedom, independence and a happy life.

The Party leader expressed his belief that with their tradition of solidarity and self-reliance, Gia Lai and other Central Highlands provinces will follow the teaching of President Ho and the revolution path he has chosen towards the goal of a strong country, rich people and a democratic, equitable and civilised society.

The same day, a gong festival took place at the square with the performance of more than 2,000 artists, both professional and amateur.

High-ranking Hanoi officials visit Laos

A high-ranking delegation from Hanoi led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi is on a visit to Laos from December 8-12.

On December 10, the delegation was received by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Choummaly Saynhasone, Prime Minister Thongsinh Thammavong, and National Assembly Chairwoman Pani Zathotou.

At the meetings, Nghi congratulated the Lao people on their achievements in the past years and briefed the hosts on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation.

Nghi informed the hosts of the outcomes of his talks with Vientiane leaders, during which the two sides discussed specific and practical measures to foster future cooperation.

The Lao leaders thanked Vietnam and Hanoi for their effective assistance to Vientiane city and other Lao localities in the past.

They suggested Hanoi and Vientiane strengthen information exchange and experience sharing to make their investment cooperation effective, promoting the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

PM praises progress on VN, Laos border  

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, Dec 10, lauded the efforts and contributions from both Viet Nam and Laos to build a stable and developed common border.

Dung was speaking at a reception for a high-level delegation from Laos headed by Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.

Dung also congratulated Laos for its successful organisation of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) 9 and its official membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He showed his pleasure for the developing special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos, especially in 2012, the year of Viet Nam – Laos Friendship and Solidarity. Various practical activities organised to mark the occasion have contributed to the strengthening of the special ties, he stressed.

He declared that the Party, State, Government and people of Viet Nam will always stand side-by-side with the Party, State, Government and people of Laos to conserve, protect and cultivate a special relationship that was built by the shared struggles and bloodshed of the two peoples.

In return, Laoly briefed Dung on Laos' current situation and the results of a meeting between representatives from the two nations, where measures for building a stable and developed border between the two countries were discussed along with the results of co-operation between the Lao side and Viet Nam's Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region.

The Party, State and Government of Laos appreciate the efforts to build and develop the border region, Laoly said, adding that Laos will continue to co-ordinate with the Vietnamese side to overcome shortcomings and accomplish their joint border region targets.

At the meeting, co-hosted by Laoly and his Vietnamese counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc - who is the head of the Steering Committee - participants spoke highly of the co-operation to implement projects in the border region between the two sides.

They also pointed out shortcomings and discussed ways to comprehensively develop these projects further in the future.

South African Ambassador receives peace insignia

Ambassador of South Africa Ratubatsi Super Moloi has been awarded the “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” insignia for his contributions to fostering bilateral ties during his term of office in Vietnam.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong presented the reward to the ambassador in Hanoi on December 10.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hong stressed that the award honours the ambassador’s tireless contributions to improve friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

For his part, Moloi affirmed that he will continue to contribute to the consolidation and development of the relationship between the two nations.

VNN/VNS/VNA