Bulgaria attaches importance to relations with Vietnam

Bulgaria considers Vietnam one of the most important partners in Asia, President Rosen Plevneliev told ambassador Le Duc Luu in Sofia recently.

President Plevneliev spoke highly of the fine development of the relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam and said both countries need to increase cooperation in various areas, especially economics, trade, health care, education, culture, and tourism, as well as at regional and international forums.

He expressed his desire to make a visit to Vietnam soon, and hoped that more Vietnamese students will select Bulgaria as a destination for further study.

Ambassador Luu, who presented his credentials to the President, vowed to try his best in his working term to promote the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

Greater investment advocated for research and development

International assistance and private sector investment must be more effectively promoted in research and development, senior officials and top scientists said on Saturday in testimony before the National Assembly's Committee of Science, Technology and Environment.

The meeting, attended by policymakers and top scientists and researchers, focused on systems for financing science and technology.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nghiem Vu Khai said that an allocation of 2 per cent of the State Budget for these purposes was not insignificant compared to many other countries. However, private investment was significantly less than in neighbouring states, he said.

"It is important to mobilise more resources from society and take full advantage of both State and non-State funding from enterprises, organisations and individuals for technology development," Khai said.

Although enterprises were allowed to reinvest 10 per cent of their profits tax free in research and development, this has not been enough to encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises, said Le Hoai Quoc, head of the HCM City High-Tech Zone management board. "Only a few enterprises allot funds for research, and those that do are mostly changing labelling and packing."

Scientists, meanwhile, complained about disbursement procedures for research, which they called complicated and time-consuming.

Members of the National Assembly committee said the Government needed to clearly define fields of priority for investment and mobilise strong research groups and international co-operation. As the manager of 45 per cent of the State budget for scientific and technological development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment also needed to define its own responsibility, since the ministry currently allowed several local governments to use scientific funds improperly, they said.

Nguyen Tan Tai, former head of Da Lat University's public development department, said investment at local levels needed to focus on key industrial advantages of each area. The country's current spending on science and technology had failed to produce benefits and waste of financial resources was still common.

Strengthening Vietnam-Moldova cooperation

Vietnamese ambassador to Ukraine Ho Dac Minh Nguyet recently paid a working visit to Moldova to boost cooperative relations between the two countries.

Receiving Nguyet in Chisinau capital on September 19, President Nicolae Timofti expressed his admiration for Vietnamese people’s past struggle for national unification and congratulated the Southeast Asian nation on its tremendous achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

He hoped that relations between Moldova and Vietnam will be strengthened in the coming time.

Nguyet held a working session with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Popov to discuss measures to foster relations between the two countries and their Foreign Ministries, as well as bilateral cooperation in regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The diplomat confirmed that she will do her utmost to promote bilateral relations in all areas, including assuming political consultations, conducting the exchange of delegations, and increasing cooperation in economics, trade, culture, and tourism.

She also hosted a banquet celebrating Vietnam’s 67th National Day and 20 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Moldova.

Participants had the chance to taste Vietnam’s typical dishes and get a glimpse of the Southeast Asian nation through a display of nearly 100 photos featuring the country, its land and people.

VN-Cambodian friendship officials visit Ninh Binh

A delegation from the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association made a visit to northern Ninh Binh province on September 23 as an activity to mark the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year and the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

When welcoming the delegation, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Bui Van Nam shared with Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam keo Bunrith the view that the visit is a meaningful activity to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples.

On the occasion, the association officials presented gifts to six Vietnamese war veterans who volunteered to fight with Cambodian people during their war and awarded scholarships to 64 Cambodian students who are studying in Vietnam.

Vietnam, Bangladesh strengthen defence cooperation

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of General Staff of Vietnam People Army, Lieutenant General Tran Quang Khue met with visiting Commandant of the National Defence College of Bangladesh, Lieutenant General Mollah Fazle Akbar in Hanoi on September 21.

Applauding Lieutenant General Mollah Fazle Akbar’s visit, Lieutenant General Tran Quang Khue said he hopes through this fact-finding tour, Akbar and his delegation will get a deeper understanding on the nation, people and army of Vietnam, as well as its defence and foreign policies.

The two sides should continue to develop bilateral defence cooperation through exchanging delegation of all levels, personnel training, and sharing experience on participating in United Nations peace-keeping activities, contributing to strengthening the friendship, trust and understanding between the two nations and armies, he added.

Lieutenant General Mollah Fazle Akbar briefed the host the outcome of the working sessions between his delegation and the Vietnamese side.

He expressed his pleasure at the friendship and cooperation between the two armies, which has been continuously strengthened and developed for peace and stability in the region as well as in the world.

Vietnam contributes to success of CAEXPO, CABIS

The Vietnamese delegation have attended the China- ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 9th China-ASEAN Business-Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning City, China’s Guangxi province, in a proactive manner with many active important contributions.

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang told the press on September 21 when speaking about Vietnam’s contributions to CAEXPO and CABIS, as well as the significance and role of the two events in boosting economic, trade and investment between ASEAN and China.  

According to Minister Hoang, Vietnam has made important contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and sharing consistent ideas in promoting investment and trade cooperation between ASEAN members and China, as well as boosting Vietnam’s relations with China and other ASEAN countries.

This is the ninth consecutive year Vietnam has participated in CAEXPO and CABIS. At CAEXPO, around 90 businesses from 18 provinces and cities of Vietnam showcased farm products, processed food, timber products and other consumption goods at 200 booths on an area of 500 sq.m. A number of investment projects that Vietnam wants to cooperate with China and other ASEAN member countries were also introduced at the event.

With the increasing scale and quality, Vietnam’s active participation has contributed to the success of CAEXPO and CABIS in consecutive years, particularly in 2012, Hoang said.

Vietnam has also involved in activities within the framework of the two events and will continue making considerable contributions to activities relating to CAEXPO and CABIS, he affirmed.

Regarding the significance and role of the two events in boosting economic, trade and investment between ASEAN and China, Minister Hoang said the ASEAN-China economic, trade and investment relations has recorded active and impressive developments. Two-way trade rose from approximately US$100 billion in 2001 to around US$360 billion in 2011.

At present, China is the largest importer and the third largest trade partner of ASEAN. By July 2012, both sides’ investment capital reached around US$100 billion.

The organisation of CAEXPO and CABIS annually is one of the effective tools and serves as a forum for China and ASEAN investors and business people to meet, exchange and sign trade and investment contracts.
This is also a forum for both sides to discuss issues relating to trade and investment cooperation within Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Within the framework of CAEXPO and CABIS, there will be more favourable conditions for both sides to meet their desire and goals in promoting economic, trade and investment relations, said the Vietnamese minister.

VNN/VOV/VNA