Japan lauded for ODA funding


Party Central Committee Secretariat standing member Truong Tan Sang highly valued the role of the Japanese Ministry of Finance in maintaining the high levels of official development assistance (ODA) funding to Viet Nam in recent years.

The funds had contributed practically and effectively to Viet Nam's economic development and raised the living standards of Vietnamese people, Sang told Japanese Minister of Finance Yoshihiko Noda and Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JIBIC) president and CEO Hiroshi Watanabe yesterday during their working visit to Viet Nam.

Sang highlighted Viet Nam's efforts to implement proper financial and monetary policies to improve the quality and stability of economic growth.

He expressed his desire to strengthen co-operation and exchange experience in economic policies, financial management, and human resources and training between the two ministries of finance.

He also highly valued the contribution of JBIC in supporting the implementation of strategic projects in Viet Nam. He also expressed his hope that JBIC would continue supporting investment projects in the form of public-private partnerships, under the partnership for regional peace and prosperity which has been established between the two countries.

The Japanese guests strongly praised the efforts of the Vietnamese Government to curb inflation and voiced Japan's commitment to provide ODA funding as under the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan.

Watanabe said the co-operation would also support Japanese businesses to enlarge their operations in Viet Nam and give financial aid to infrastructure and industrial development projects.


Fatah-Hamas pact welcomed by VN


Viet Nam has given its support to the reconciliation deal signed between Fatah and Hamas and reiterated its support for a Palestinian State.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga made the statement yesterday while answering reporters' questions on Viet Nam's response to the preliminary reconciliation deal signed on Wednesday.

"Viet Nam supports a peaceful settlement to the Palestine – Israel conflict according to United Nations' resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative towards a comprehensive, fair and sustainable solution, ensuring the legitimate interests of the concerned parties," she said.


Vietnamese bank presents 1,000 TV sets to Laos


The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) gave 1,000 television sets to the Lao government at the Lao Prime Minister’s office in Vientiane on May 2 to help poor local people access information.

Receiving the gifts from BIDV, Lao Deputy PM Somsavad Lengsavath said that the TVs will help the Lao Party and Government’s policies reach residents more quickly.

The presentation of such gifts proves that Vietnam-Laos cooperation aims to reduce poverty among local people, said the Deputy PM.

Tran Dac Ha, Chairman of the BIDV Board of Directors, said that the bank is involved in both investment and social activities to improve the lives of the poor in Laos and Cambodia.

BIDV has contributed more than US$1.1 million since 2005 to social security programmes in Laos, according to the BIDV official.


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