Viet Nam, African countries to expand co-operation: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, May 30, said Viet Nam would continue fostering comprehensive relations with African countries, including Sudan, during his meeting with Sudan's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed Abdelkreem Abdalla Alhad who is currently visiting Viet Nam.

PM Dung said that Viet Nam attached great importance to boost cooperation with Sudan and other African countries in economics, trade, investment, science and technology, tourism and at international forums.

PM Dung reaffirmed the Vietnamese Government's support for the two countries' ministries to implement cooperation agreements, especially in encouraging Viet Nam's IT companies to invest in Sudan.

The Sundanese minister said Sudan hoped to continue co-operation with Viet Nam in information technology and committed to create preferable conditions for Vietnamese IT companies to invest in the country. Sudan was also keen to promote ties with Viet Nam in agriculture, energy and oil and gas, he added.

Deputy PM receives Int'l Finance Corporation's regional head

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh yesterday, May 30, expressed his delight at the World Bank's continued support for Viet Nam during his meeting with Karin Finkelston, International Finance Corporation's Vice President on Asia Pacific under the WB.

The Deputy PM applauded her first working visit to Viet Nam in this position and said the World Bank has assisted the country in many areas, especially poverty reduction, infrastructure development, economic growth and hoped that IFC would continue its support for Viet Nam, especially to address funding shortage and the lack of expertise in many sectors.

Finkelston said even though faced with many challenges, Viet Nam has made significant results in reducing poverty and improving the investment environment. She also confirmed that IFC would continue to support Viet Nam to address the country's current challenges.

Leader arrives for economic forum in BKK

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the Vietnamese delegation are set to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand today, which focuses on shaping the region's future through connectivity.

The visit is made at the official invitation of Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and WEF President Klaus Schwab.

Viet Nam will share its experiences in socio-economic development, especially in areas such as macroeconomic stabilisation, economic restructuring, and foreign investment attraction, among others.

The forum brings together senior government officials, top business executives, and leaders from the region.

They will discuss issues such as how the region can maintain sustainable and equitable growth, develop the financial policies to manage inflation, capital outflows, and develop the technology base to increase growth through innovation.

HCM City welcomes Prince of Liechtenstein

On May 29 the Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Le Hoang Quan, held a reception for Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein, the current President of the International Peace Fund’s Advisory Board, during his visit to Vietnam.

The Prince’s visit is to prepare for a series of events jointly organised by the International Peace Fund (IPF) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, themed ‘Bridges and Dialogue for a Culture of Peace’, from November this year to April next year in different parts of Vietnam. This is the fourth time the IPF has held the programme in ASEAN.

While speaking at the reception, Chairman Quan said the City will give the event its wholehearted support.

According to the Prince, the event will attract several Nobel Prize winners to give speeches and lectures at conferences and meetings with Vietnamese scientists, lecturers and students.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA