Visiting Haitian PM looks to boost ties

The Prime Minister of Haiti, Laurent Salvador Lamothe, arrived in Viet Nam yesterday, Dec 16, to begin an official visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung.

Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe. (Photo: VNA)

The two politicians are expected to discuss measures to boost the co-operation between the countries, with a particular focus on trade, investment, agriculture, construction and health.

They are also set to discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Viet Nam and Haiti first established diplomatic ties on September 26, 1997.

Haiti's unique political and economic situation, as well as its large geological distance from Viet Nam, has meant that bilateral relations between the countries have yet to reach their full potential.

In 2010 two-way trade reached US$11 million. The following year the figure grew rapidly to $40 million, with Viet Nam's exports accounting for $15 million of the amount. Midway into 2012, $19 million worth of trade had already taken place.

Viet Nam imports mainly clothing material, pulp and animal feed from Haiti. It exports garments, rattan, timber and furniture, instant noodles, chemical substances and plastic products to the country, where about 220 Vietnamese people live and work.

In 2010, Viettel telecommunications group partnered with Haiti's Teleco S.A to set up NATCOM S.A.

The joint-venture, in which Viettel contributed 60 per cent of the $100 million investment, began operation in September 2011. After just one year of operation, NATCOM possessed 20 per cent of Haiti's mobile phone market.

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale shook Haiti. It killed 300,000 people and left 3 million others homeless. The Vietnamese Government donated $150,000 to support the country in the aftermath of the disaster.

Filipino fisherman handed over

The Border Guard Command of central Khanh Hoa Province on December 15 handed a Filipino fisherman rescued in Truong Sa archipelago’s sea area over to the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam.

The distressed fisherman, Rased Musa, was rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel on November 27 while on board a fishing boat going adrift without food, fresh water and fuel for about ten days in the waters of Truong Sa archipelago. He went to fishing and his boat was caused adrift by strong winds and big waves, according to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Long Xuyen from the Khanh Hoa Border Guards.

Hector Reyes Herrera, an Attache of the Philippine Embassy, expressed thanks to Vietnamese relevant agencies for their help given to the fisherman and favourable conditions for the handing over.

Phu Quoc urged to become a special administrative EZ

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has directed the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang to complete a plan to transform Phu Quoc island into a special administrative economic zone.

He asked the district authorities to make full use of its advantages and potential, especially those in aquaculture breeding, fishery, tourism, trade and agriculture, to serve socio-economic development.

At a conference on December 15 to review the implementation of the Prime Minister’s decision to approve an overall development scheme on Phu Quoc island between 2010-2020, Dung noted that Kien Giang, and Phu Quoc in particular, should increase infrastructure development investment, especially in transport, electricity and fresh water supply.

The district should also take strong measures to protect the environment and forests, which are important to tourism development, Dung added.

The PM also pointed out Phu Quoc’s shortcomings to be resolved, particularly in land management and use, and land planning management.

The island has made positive changes since the PM’s decision first became operational eight years ago.

Annual GDP grew by 22 percent on average, and annual per capita income was estimated at 50 million VND.

The number of tourists to the district grew by 13 percent each year.

The same day, PM Dung cut the ribbon to inaugurate Phu Quoc international airport in Duong To commune.

Addressing the event, Dung stressed the importance of the airport, which will drive the fast and sustainable development of the island and social-economic development in Kien Giang and the whole region.

He asked the Airports Corporation of Vietnam to complete other airport facilities to ensure it meets international standards.

Phu Quoc should support the residents who gave land to the airport construction resettle, he added.

The airport, which cost 3 trillion VND to build, is the first of its kind entirely funded by domestic business. It covers an area of 900 hectares and can cater for 2.6 million passengers a year.

Replacing the local airport in Duong Dong town, the new airport can handle Boeing 777s, Boeing 747-400s and similar aircraft.

The same day, the low-cost carrier VietJetAir launched its Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc route.

To begin with, one return flight will connect HCM City to the island every day.

Thai Senate’s Vice President visits HCM City

HCM City People’s Council Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam on December 14 received Thai Senate Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Tam expressed confidence in the Thai delegation’s visit’s success, helping tighten the time-honoured friendship and wide-ranging cooperation between the two countries.

The already close relationship is still deepening, especially in the wake of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s Thailand visit, Tam said. She added Vietnam wants the Thai Senate to foster favourable conditions for expanding delegation exchanges and cooperation and sharing experiences in areas of common concern like environmental pollution treatment and traffic congestion prevention.

Liengboonlertchai said that these issues are the problems facing all major populous cities. HCM City and Bangkok can collaborate on addressing the similar challenges posed by transport and the environment.

He said he hopes both countries will promote exchange visits at all levels and learn from the experiences of their counterparts in a variety of fields.

Vietnam-France year to start in 2013

Vietnam will host the France Year in 2013 and France will organise the Vietnam Year in 2014 to mark the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (1973-2013).

The information was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on December 14 at a ceremony to make public the logo of the Vietnam-France Year 2013-1014 and a joint committee in charge of organising work.

Son affirmed that the traditional friendly Vietnam-France relations were built on a solid foundation that is the long-lasting friendship between the two nations.

He informed that a plenty of activities will be held to fete the event, which is expected to lift the Vietnam-France relationship to a strategic partnership level soon as well as create breakthroughs in such areas as politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, security, defense, and local ties.

The Vietnam-France Year will see political and economic events along with cultural, scientific and educational activities taking place across Vietnam and France.

The upcoming important one will be the Vietnam-France Economics Forum, which will be held in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in April, 2013.

Congratulations conveyed to Ukrainian leaders

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Friday, December 14 conveyed his congratulations to Mykola Azarov, who was re-appointed as Ukrainian Prime Minister.

The same day, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung also sent a message of congratulations to newly-elected Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Rybak.

Vietnam, Cambodia’s cities clinch further cooperation

Hanoi and Phnom Penh should boost multifaceted cooperation to develop the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.

The Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Pham Quang Nghi, and other high-ranking Cambodian officials made the suggestion during recent talks in Cambodia.

Politburo member Nghi, who is leading a Hanoi delegation, held working sessions with Cambodian leaders, including Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin, head of the Standing Board of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee cum First Vice President of the Senate Say Chum, and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Nghi added that the traditional relations, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian peoples serve as valuable assets for both nations, which need to be further nurtured and developed for future generations.

Cambodia welcomed the visit as it comes at a time when both countries are celebrating the Vietnam-Cambodia 2012 Solidarity Year. The host national leaders thanked Vietnam’s Party, State and people for helping Cambodia escape Polpot’s genocidal regime, as well as assistance to their current national construction and development.

On December 13, Nghi held talks with Phnom Penh Party Committee Secretary and Mayor Kep Chuktema. The two municipal officials agreed to accelerate cooperation between the two cities in various areas, particularly sharing experience in urban management and development.

The delegation also paid tribute to, and laid a wreath at the Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers Monument in Phnom Penh. They also visited the Overseas Vietnamese Association headquarters and Vietnamese staff at the embassy in Cambodia.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA