PM Dung receives IMF chief representative in Vietnam

On September 19, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received IMF Senior Resident Representative in Vietnam, Benedict Bingham, who paid a courtesy visit before ending his term of office.

PM Dung praised Mr Bingham’s efforts, goodwill and responsibility in his capacity as IMF senior representative in Vietnam and thanked the IMF for its cooperation and assistance to the country, especially the annual macro-economic assessments which have made positive contributions to the Vietnamese Government’s economic management policies.

During the process of developing a market economy and promoting international integration, Vietnam has given top priority to controlling inflation, stabilizing the macro-economy and ensuring social welfare in order to restructure the national economy, sharpen competitiveness and maintain reasonable GDP growth, said Mr Dung.

The Vietnamese Government leader said he hopes the IMF will continue to cooperate closely with the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and relevant Vietnamese agencies and sectors and give good counsel in line with Vietnam’s situation.

PM Dung also asked the IMF to support Vietnam in hosting the annual IMF and World Bank meetings by 2015.

Mr Bingham thanked PM Dung and relevant Vietnamese agencies for helping him fulfill his tasks effectively over the past four years.

The IMF chief representative said there will be more major challenges to face in the future including the instability of the world economy and a possible recurrence of the economic crisis in the US and Europe, which is very likely to affect Vietnam. Therefore, the IMF is willing to promote closer cooperation and consultation on policies with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, the SBV and government agencies.

Mr Bingham took the occasion to introduce PM Dung Mr Sayjay Kalra, who will assume his post as IMF senior resident representative in Vietnam in October.

President praises forces for keeping public order

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, Sep 19, applauded the Ministry of National Defence for its ongoing protection of national sovereignty and a peaceful and stable environment necessary for national development.

Speaking at a meeting with the ministry, Sang said he highly valued the close co-operation between the ministries of national defence and public security to maintain order, which contributed to the success of the 11th Party Congress and the election of the 13th National Assembly deputies and People's Council at all levels.

Sang required the ministry to keep improving the leadership of the army and national defence and continue implementing defence diplomacy according to the 11th National Party Congress Resolution.

He also asked the ministry to materialise all Party Central Committee's resolutions in the task of training soldiers.

On the same day, Sang had a meeting with the Ministry of Public Security at which he was briefed about the political situation and social order and the co-operation between the ministry and the Presidential Office in the fight against crime.

He highly valued the ministry's efforts in assuring social cohesion as well as its administrative reforms to better serve the people.

He analysed elements that impacted on the security situation and instructed the ministry to keep strengthening the police force to assure political security, social order and a stable environment for socio-economic development and to protect the people.

Parliamentary cooperation to strengthen UK-Vietnam relations

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament will visit Vietnam from September 19-23.

The Group last visited in 2009 and is looking forward to meeting the new Deputies to the National Assembly and Ministers as well as members of People’s Councils in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.

The APPG will discuss bilateral relations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the National Assembly External Relations Committee. The Group will also attend a roundtable seminar on Parliamentary supervision and meet the National Religion Commission and representatives of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Group will play their part in developing trade and investment links between the two countries with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and in meetings with businesses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They will receive briefings from companies in the real estate and retail sectors.

The APPG will visit Danang University where the new UK-Vietnam State University is being developed.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Dr Antony Stokes said, “I am delighted that the group could visit at such an important time for Vietnam-UK relations. Trade and education links are developing strongly. The new Deputies have an important role to play in guiding Vietnam to be a more prosperous nation.  We look forward to strengthened links that will enable us to work together to help Vietnam develop.”

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA