FTA to intensify Vietnam-EEU ties: FM Spokesman

The signing and implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will be a great and important step, lifting the time-honoured relationship between Vietnam and EEU members to a new height.

Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Le Hai Binh responded to reporters’ queries relating to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s recently concluded official visit to Vietnam and the FTA, which was discussed at length during the visit, at the ministry’s regular press conference on April 9.

Binh told the media that Vietnam and the EEU issued a joint statement on the conclusion of negotiations on the agreement in December last year and are looking to sign the document within the first half of this year.

The parties agreed on the basic contents of the agreement with a comprehensive scale, high commitment, equal benefits and specific conditions of each party included, he said.

The agreement will create a new market for Vietnamese products as well as open up opportunities to expand trade and investment between Vietnam and the union’s State members of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, he added.

Laotian immigrants to be registered from next month

The justice ministry has issued a circular that allows immigrants from Laos, who enter the border districts of Viet Nam, to register their nationality from next month.

The Circular 03/2015/TT-BTP, dated on April 1, 2015, stipulates that immigrants from Laos, entering the border districts of Viet Nam, will get permission to stay in the country. These people can register their nationality and get citizenship rights and obligations, if they prove they own property, housing and cultivatable land in their place of residence. They must not be charged with crimes or be in the process of being convicted.

The local people's committees will be in charge of receiving and dealing with the registration documents.

The circular will become effective from May 16.

NA urged to avoid gov't overlap in law

National Assembly Standing Committee members yesterday discussed amendments to the Law on Government Organisation and the Law on Local Government Organisation.

During their discussions, most deputies suggested the law should detail more specific rights and obligations to avoid overlapping governmental spheres of activity. The changes must also accord with the 2013 Constitution and the Prime Minister's rights and obligations, making it a tricky task.

Truong Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the National Committee on Social Affairs, and Ksor Phuoc, Chairman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Minorities Council, said the number of deputy ministers in a ministry should not be fixed at five. Rather, it should be more flexible and based on the scope of the ministry.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was thrown around as an example.

"This ministry is very big as it grew out of a merger of several ministries, including the ministry of fisheries, the ministry of forestry and the ministry of agriculture," Mai said.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the number of deputies must be based on what is written in the law - five for all ministries except the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defence, which can have six.

A discussion on the revised Law on Government Organisation was scheduled for May when a full house meeting could be organised. The meeting will be the final discussion before the law is approved.

In his opening speech, Bui Ngoc Hoa, Permanent Deputy Chief Judge of Viet Nam Supreme People's Court said the three years old Law on Administrative Procedures had exposed quite a lot of limitations to respond to administrative complaints, particularly the 2013 Constitution.

The draft of the revised Law on Administrative Procedures has 22 chapters and 340 articles - an increase of 75 articles compared to the existing Law on Administrative Procedures.

PM tells Hau Giang to use tech in farming

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged local authorities to step up effort to achieve objectives set out in the Mekong Delta Hau Giang Province's Five-year Development Plan (2011-2015) at a meeting yesterday.

The PM called on local authorities to utilise the province's advantages in agriculture, such as rice production, aquatic farm products and fruit farming.

He spoke of the importance of implementing technological and scientific advances in agricultural production, economies of scale, developing co-operative production models, using processing technology - and finding and expanding new markets for the province's agricultural products.

"We must quickly develop our processing technology as a crucial part of our plan to find new markets and to create jobs for our people," he said.

The PM also ordered provincial authorities to focus on developing of new-style rural areas, restructuring and modernising agricultural production and attracting investment from the business sector.

He said the province must continue to improve people's living standards, social security, healthcare, education while pushing administrative reforms to support business development.

"The province's priorities are to improve health care and education," said the PM.

The PM discussed numerous infrastructure projects proposed by the province, such as the Song Hau Thermal Electricity Plants I, II and III, the provincial route 927C and the Hau Giang High-tech Agriculture Complex.

He also highlighted limitations, such as the scarcity of qualified workers, limited technical infrastructure and lack of application of science and technology on production in the new stage of development.

Tran Cong Chanh, chairman of the province's People's Committee, said Hau Giang's socio-economic development continued to produce positive signs. Last year, the province managed to achieve a growth rate of 12.5 per cent. Its income per capita reached VND31.3 million (US$1,470), its exports increased by 24.5 per cent and the number of poor households was reduced to 8.4 per cent – a 3.4 per cent drop on the year.

Party Economic Commission Head meets WB official

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Vuong Dinh Hue asked the World Bank to support the Commission in policymaking, especially national industry policy.

Hue made the request at his meeting with WB Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa in Hanoi on April 9, where the two discussed their cooperation plans for the future.

He mentioned his agency’s plan to conduct studies in a number of fields, focusing on building policies for the national reform process; enterprise structure in the context of economic restructuring; regional economic development and regional linking; national industry and material industry development; industrialising agriculture and rural economic development strategy; and sustainable development.

He also called for the WB’s support for the Commission’s effort to improve the efficiency of mobilisation and management of development assistance sources and preferential loans, expressing his hope that the bank will share its research results in the aforementioned fields.

For her part, Kwakwa stated the WB will give priority to supporting the Commission in making national industry policy and that it is willing to share its experience in the fields.

She also reviewed Vietnam’s macro-economy and the bank’s plan to produce a Vietnam Report 2035, saying that the information shared by Hue is connected to the report.

Coordination in supervising complaint settlement reviewed

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held a meeting with relevant agencies in Hanoi on April 9 to review their coordination in supervising the settlement of complaints and denunciations at the grassroots level.

There are 15 participating provinces and cities in the coordination programme, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh, Binh Thuan and Kon Tum province, reported the programme’s steering board.

The Government Inspectorate, the Ministry of Justice, the Vietnam Lawyers Association, the Vietnam Bar Federation and their provincial bodies have actively proposed complicated complaint and denunciation cases for supervision, popularised legal regulations on complaints and denunciations, reinforced grassroots conciliation teams and strengthened free legal aid provision, the board noted.

VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan said the settlement of complaints and denunciations receives the special attention of the Party, State and people, adding that the supervision coordination among agencies has been implemented actively with a high sense of responsibility.

He asked the steering board to urge other provinces to join the coordination programme.

Meanwhile, the 15 participating localities need to enhance the supply of legal assistance while the Government Inspectorate and relevant agencies should increase exchanges of information and experience in handling complaints and denunciations, he added.

The VFF is a political alliance and a voluntary union of political organisations, socio-political organisations, social organisations and prominent individuals representing their class, social strata, ethnicity or religion as well as overseas Vietnamese.

It is responsible for creating social consensus; contributing to building a strong Party and administration through social supervision and criticism; and developing relations between the people of Vietnam and other nations around the world.-

PM examines Hau Giang’s social-economic development

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung worked with authorities of the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang on social-economic development and organising Party Committee Congresses at all levels on April 9.

At the meeting, the PM expressed his delight at the province’s economic progress to become one of the leading localities in the region on building new-style rural areas.

The PM also highlighted limitations, such as the scarcity of qualified labourers, limited technical infrastructure and lack of application of science and technology on production in the new stage of development.

He advised the province to take advantage of its strengths in agriculture and livestock breeding by innovating farming techniques to increase income for farmers and develop irrigation systems.

The province’s Party Committee Secretary Huynh Minh Chac said Hau Giang has completed Party Congresses at grassroots levels for 2015-2017 with 22.5 percent new members.

The province has completed 17 of the 19 criteria for social-economic development from 2011-2015 and intends to achieve the two remaining criteria this year, Chac said.

Vietnam believes in Cuba’s efforts towards American development

Vietnam believes that with its first-ever participation in the approaching Summit of the Americas, Cuba will continually exert efforts to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development on the continent.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Le Hai Binh made the remark at a regular press conference on April 9 when asked about the presence and role of Cuba at the 7th Summit of the Americas to be held in Panama City , Panama on April 10-11.

He added Vietnam welcomes all efforts made by countries to actively contribute to the consolidation and enhancement of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in America .

The Summits of the Americas are institutionalised gatherings of heads of state and government of the Western Hemisphere where leaders discuss common policy issues, affirm shared values and commit to actions at the national and regional level to address continuing and new challenges in the Americas.

HCM City officials share New Year joy with Lao diplomats

Officials of Ho Chi Minh City on April 9 visited the Lao Consulate General to extend greetings on the traditional Lao New Year - Boun Pi May.

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City ’s Party Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said she believes under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the Lao people will continue to thrive towards sustainable development.

The official underlined the growing cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Lao localities in various fields in recent years, contributing to the special ties between the two countries.

Consul General Southideth Phommalat introduced the guests to rituals of the Boun Pi May festival in Laos such as splashing water, tying thread around wrists for luck, and setting animal free to pray for bumper crops, wealth, luck and happiness.

He wished for more effective and sustainable cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Lao localities.

Deputy PM Phuc urges diversifying military-civilian medical co-operation

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged increasing the effectiveness of the combined military-civilian medical model in the northwestern region to improve the quality of care for people and soldiers.

The Northwestern Steering Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, and Military Region 2 co-organised a seminar in Phu Tho on April 9 to review the five year implementation of the combined military-civilian medical model in the northwestern region in the 2009-2014 period.

Over the years, the combined forces have offered healthcare to millions of people in the region. In particular, military units under Military Region 1, 2 and border posts have provided medical care for approximately 997,000 people, while offering first-aid to over 38,000 and treating nearly 400,000 patients living in their stationed areas.

Chairing the event, Deputy PM Phuc, who is also head of the Northwestern Steering Committee, praised positive results in implementing the combined forces over the past years, contributing significantly to the protection and care of people's health, socio-economic development and national defence and security through military-civilian medical centres, combined military-civilian clinics at the grass-root level, and integration of military-civilian medical forces in protecting people and soldiers’ health.

The deputy PM urged relevant ministries and local authorities in the region to effectively implement solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the combined model, particularly in improving the capacity of military-civilian healthcare committees at all levels, ensuring access to quality medical services for local people in the northwest, diversifying forms of combination to promote effectiveness of the model, and ensuring the sustainability of financial resources for operations.

To promote the practical effectiveness of the co-operation model in the future, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien stressed the need to consolidate military-civilian medical networks with a focus on manpower and facilities for medical examination and treatment, especially improving the capacity of health workers in military zones.

Delegates at the conference also discussed solutions to strengthen the healthcare sector serving defence and security and proposed more support mechanisms for healthcare workers in remote and disadvantaged areas in the northwestern provinces.

On the occasion, the Northwestern Steering Committee presented merit certificates to 63 collectives who have made outstanding achievements in the work of combining military and civilian forces in providing medical care for locals and soldiers in the region during the 2009-2014 period.

Deputy PM Hai inspects agriculture and infrastructure development in Dak Nong

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai on April 8 went on a tour of the Central Highlands, visiting Tuy Duc district in Dak Nong province to inspect forest protection work and pilot macadamia development models in the locality.

Tuy Duc is still 50% covered in natural forests, however they are being degraded by logging and deforestation for cultivation. Currently in Quang Tam commune, 120 ethnic M'Nong families have been entrusted with over 1,000 ha of forest for management and protection. However, the income each household receives for forest management and protection is still low at approximately VND2.5 million a year.

Deputy PM Hai urged Dak Nong and Tuy Duc authorities to look for solutions to help the raise awareness of ethnic minority people in forestry protection and management, and to get involved in the work to raise incomes and improve their lives.

He asked local authorities to plant long-day plants, such as medicinal plants suitable for the environment and soil so that locals can intercrop them into the forests they manage. Incomes for those involved in forest management and protection work must be increased to encourage forest protection, the leader said.

Regarding macadamia development, Deputy PM Hai surveyed the macadamia seedling nursery of Queen Company in Quang Tam. Currently, 400 ha of planted macadamia have started to bear fruit and nearly 200 ha of new macadamia varieties are to be planted soon in the commune.

To date, Dak Nong province has planted 1,500 ha of macadamia, of which nearly 600 ha are of harvesting age. By 2020, the locality targets to increase macadamia plantation areas to 14,000 ha. However, according to Dak Nong leaders, mass plantation will only be deployed once pilot models generate positive results.

Deputy PM Hai reminded local authorities, relevant agencies and farmers to be careful in the development of this crop. Macadamia needs high input investment while taking at least six years to harvest, thus it would be dangerous if suitable macadamia breeds were not selected, the deputy PM stressed, adding that enterprises need to closely connect with farmers and scientists to clarify suitable soil for macadamia planting to generate the best outcomes.

The same day, Deputy PM Hai also inspected progress of the project to upgrade and expand the Ho Chi Minh Highway and National Highway No. 14 spanning the province.

He also visited Nhan Co Alumina Plant to survey the plant’s aluminum electrolytic project. The plant is expected to be put into full operation by year-end.

Deputy PM urges strengthened cashew industry

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to design requirements and standards to connect production and export in the cashew sector.

During his tour of the southern province of Binh Phuoc to visit a number of effective cashew-growing farms in Bu Gia Map district on April 8, the Deputy PM underscored the need to tap the cashew potential in the locality, one of the country’s key cashew-planting areas.

Hai asked the agricultural research institute to conduct in-depth studies on the new cashew grafting method of local farmers applied in the locality, saying it is necessary to improve the process and introduce cashew growers in other localities to the style.

Binh Phuoc boasts a total cashew planting area of 178 hectares with an annual output of over 200,000 tonnes. Local famers paying heed to selecting varieties and applying advanced technologies in cultivation are generating high yields of about three tonnes per hectares.

Since 2003, a number of local families in Bu Gia Map district have used a new grafting method with elevated economic value.

With the aim to make the local cashew industry stronger and more sustainable, Binh Phuoc set up a steering committee.

Local authorities also mapped out and ratified policies to support cashew growers to improve their cultivation models while arranging training courses for local residents and facilitating access to capital to promote the sector’s development.

Politburo member Le Hong Anh works with Thanh Hoa leaders

Politburo member Le Hong Anh urged central Thanh Hoa province to reform its economic structure in order to improve living standards for residents while meeting with key provincial leaders on April 9.

He said Thanh Hoa has achieved a moderate growth rate but its competitiveness is still weak, its poverty rate remains higher than the national average and the standard of living of residents in ethnic and remote regions is low.

He added that the quality of human resources does not come up to expectations, with many low skilled local officials.

Politburo member Anh, who is also permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, said Thanh Hoa should restructure its economy, utilise available resources in a more effective way and employ modern technology in production.

He noted that provincial leaders should pay more attention to developing the province’s western region and accelerate the progress of key projects, such as the Nghi Son Refinery project, in order to stimulate Thanh Hoa’s overall economic development.

Anh also asked Thanh Hoa leaders to make thorough preparations for the upcoming provincial Party congress, with a strong focus on the fair and objective selection of well-qualified personnel.

Earlier on April 8, Le Hong Anh visited the Nghi Son Refinery Complex, the Nghi Son Thermal Power Plant and the Nghi Son Deep-water Port, as part of his tour of Thanh Hoa province.

Front leader urges protection of workers’ rights

President of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan has called on relevant agencies to strengthen the enforcement of the social insurance law to protect workers’ legitimate rights.

He made the request on April 8 at a meeting of an inter-agency inspection panel comprised of the VFF, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Government Inspectorate and the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency (VSIA).

A VGCL report finds that as of September 2014 more than 5,200 enterprises in the four provinces of Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Tien Giang evaded paying contributions worth VND520 billion (US$23.9 million) to the social insurance fund.

The reports also finds other violations of the social insurance law in a number of enterprises based in these four provinces and points out that there was no close collaboration between State agencies in the enforcement of the social insurance law.

According to VGLC President Dang Ngoc Tung, Vietnam still has around 5.5 million workers not covered by social insurance while workers’ rights under social insurance have not been fully safeguarded.

The VFF president said that the MOLISA should offer guidance soon on the implementation of the Government decree on wages so that employers can create a salary schedule as a basis for insurance contributions.

Nhan also asked the VSIA to report to the Government on the current status of insurance premium payment delays and introduce appropriate measures to ensure the rights of workers covered by social insurance.

He added that the VFF will propose that the National Assembly include employers’ evasion of paying social insurance premiums and misappropriation of employees’ social insurance contributions in the revised Penal Code.

In 2015, the inter-agency panel plans to supervise the enforcement of the social insurance law at enterprises in six more provinces: Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Dong Thap and An Giang.

VNA