Project to boost legislative research, communications


A United Nations-funded project was launched yesterday, March 8, in Ha Noi to help the National Assembly's Institute for Legislative Studies improve the group's legislative research capacity and information and communication technology (ICT).

The project will be implemented by the institute during the next 18 months with technical support provided by the United Nations Development Programme.

"A well-governed society needs a well-informed parliament. The Institute for Legislative Studies is there to serve that need, through providing parliamentarians with excellent in-house research and policy analysis," said UNDP Country Director in Viet Nam Setsuko Yamazaki.

The institute's improved research capacity would contribute to improving the assembly's operations and applied research on drafting laws, policy and parliamentary oversight, she said.

The project aims to enable the institute to more effectively fulfil its mandate through enhanced priority short-term legislative research and ICT capacities, which focus on supporting policy-oriented legislative research and enhanced ICT.

This is the first co-operation project between the institute and foreign partners, said the institute director Dinh Xuan Thao.

Prime Minister sees off 33 new ambassadors


Photo: Vietnam+
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, March 8, received the Vietnamese ambassadors, who are soon heading for their new diplomatic term overseas.

The Government leader urged the 33 newly-appointed diplomats to be strong leaders and work to enhance economic co-operation between Viet Nam and other countries.

Expanding export markets for Vietnamese products, attracting investment and development aid, promoting tourism and fighting against trade barriers should be top priorities, he said. Enhancing co-operation in education and protecting the interests of Vietnamese overseas were also among the important tasks.

The PM also called on the ambassadors to protect the country's sovereignty and interests, while promoting Vietnamese culture to the world.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister appreciated the efforts made by the Foreign Ministry in co-operation with the Ministry of Labours, Invalids and Social Affairs to bring Vietnamese workers in Libya home safe and sound.


Vice President applauds outstanding collectives and individuals


Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has praised the outstanding achievements of individuals and collectives in production, business, education and training.

On March 7, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan visited and presented gifts to heroic mothers and exemplary collectives involved in production, business and education and training in HCM City.

She called on female leaders and staff from different establishments and called on them to boost production and business by renewing technology, increasing product quality and building community-based business culture.

The same day, Mrs Doan visited the University of Law in HCM City on its 15th anniversary where she said the school should encourage students to attend trials, discuss cases and establish links with courts and departments of justice in various provinces. Students should be equipped with skills to be able to judge well.

She also presented the school to help its students play an active role in judiciary reform.

Mrs Doan gave away scholarships worth US$95 each to 15 poor students having outstanding academic records.

The University’s rector, Dr Mai Hong Quy said the school aims to become the first law institution in the south that has links with international ones.


Southwestern region continues to develop comprehensively


The steering committee for the southwestern region held a conference in Ca Mau City on March 8 to review its work in 2010 and discuss directions and tasks for 2011.

The conference was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, representatives of ministries and departments, and leaders of 13 provinces in the Mekong River Delta.

Addressing the conference, Deputy PM Hung said that, in addition to the main contents, delegates debated assessing the 10-year development strategy and the five-year plan of implementation. The focus will be on transportation, irrigation, education and vocational training, which are considered the region’s weaknesses and expected to make breakthroughs for the socio-economic development of the the Mekong River Delta region.              

He highly appreciated the dynamic efforts localities made to overcome difficulties and requested that they try to curb inflation and ensure social security. The conference was very significant in implementing the 11th National Party Congress resolution.

According to the steering committee’s report in 2010, 13 provinces of the Mekong River Delta continued to grow comprehensively with the average GDP reaching 12.2 percent and per capita income rising by 14 percent over 2009.

Meanwhile, agricultural and industrial production increased sharply, along with import-export value. In particular, the rice output was 21.5 million tonnes, and the seafood output reached 2.3 million tonnes, up 10 percent against the previous year.

The completion and opening of the Can Tho and Ham Luong bridges and a series of bridges on Highway 1A positively impacted the development of tourism and service industries of the region.


Condolences sent for death of former Prime Minister of Nepal


Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent condolences to his Nepalese counterpart Jhala Nath Khanal on Monday over the death of this country's former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai on March 4.

Bhattarai, a former journalist, was in office from May 1999 to March 2000.

VNN/VOV/VNS