Gov’t requests to keep eye on price, market situation in year-end

The government requested ministries, agencies and localities to keep an eye on price and market situation as well as enhance analysis and prediction for controlling inflation in the end of the year.

According to the request, the State Bank of Vietnam must keep close watch on monetary and financial markets in the country and in the world.

Moreover, the bank must monitor monetary policies flexibly with market development aiming to stabilize macro economy and control inflation.

Additionally, it must liaise with the ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade in running macroeconomic policies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade focused to re-structure industry sector by applying technologies and increasing value as well as put forward measures to reduce impacts of the US- China trade war.

Besides, the Ministry must speed up important industrial production projects.

The Ministry of Public Security was assigned to detect and prevent activities to sabotage the country as well as adopt preventative measures against loan shark.

The Ministry of Information and Communications should strengthen its supervision in media activities by 2025 and work with the Ministry of Public Security to handle wrong information to besmirch the Party and the government.

The government yesterday issued resolution for its annual session.

As per the resolution, the government ordered ministries and localities to carry out measures to increase the country’s labor productivity and competition as well as develop different kinds of enterprises especially private sector.

ASEAN boost agriculture teamwork

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường speaks at the preparatory senior gathering of the 40th meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), held in Hà Nội yesterday. — Photo baodautu.vn

Agriculture affects the economic, social and political stability of individual member states and the whole of ASEAN (Associate of Southeast Asian Nations) and partner countries, said Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường in the preparatory senior gathering of the 40th meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), held in Hà Nội yesterday.

“In the new context, agriculture retains a pivotal role in the ASEAN Economic Community and contributes to the realisation of many of the community’s goals such as creating a highly competitive economic sector, developing economies that are equally efficient and fully integrating into the global economy”, Cường told the meeting.

Việt Nam is hosting the 40th AMAF, 18th AMAF+3 (China, Japan, and South Korea) and the 6th ASEAN-China SPF (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Ministerial Meeting from October 8 to 13.

In the meeting, the participants discussed common issues relating to co-operation in agriculture, forestry and fisheries as well as measures on food security and safety enhancement, making contributions to fulfill the ASEAN Community Vision and ASEAN Co-operation Strategy on Food and Agro-Forestry in 2016-2015.

The agricultural sector has been facing big challenges such as climate change, market difficulty, urbanisation, industrialisation and uneven development with other regions in the world.

To overcome the challenges, further co-operate in the region is needed. This requires each member country in particular and the association in general to have strong commitment to and proper investment for ASEAN’s agricultural development.

With 650 million people and a combined GDP reaching US$2.7 trillion in 2017, the strengthening of intra-ASEAN agricultural co-operation was important to take advantage of trade agreements such as the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services and many other regional agreements which help promote faster agricultural growth, create more jobs, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), better resource allocation and improve capacity building and competitiveness of ASEAN agro-forestry.

This was the third time Việt Nam has held the presidency of AMAF and AMAF+3.

“As a host and president of AMAF in 2018-2019, Việt Nam pledged to working closely with its member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat in the implementation of its co-operation activities to enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness, promote sustainable agricultural growth and development in the area”, the minister said. 

PM receives Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Chairman

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and  Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Toshihiro Nikai 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Toshihiro Nikai, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance and Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, and the alliance’s members in Tokyo on October 8.

The PM expressed his pleasure at the development of Vietnam-Japan relationship, including the ties between the two legislatures, the exchange of the two countries’ parliamentarians, while valuing highly the sentiments and contributions of the alliance’s Chairman and members.

PM Phuc suggested the alliance continue promoting high-level meetings between the two ruling parties, governments, and parliaments, as well as supporting further cooperation enhancement in trade, investment, and cultural and locality-to-locality exchanges.

He also proposed the alliance speed up the simplification of visa procedures for Vietnamese tourists to Japan, thus facilitating people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Chairman Nikai and the alliance’s members affirmed that the organisation will continue making efforts to promote the extensive strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam. 

They hoped Vietnam would be one of the first six member countries to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in order to swiftly enforce the deal, bringing benefits to people. They also expressed that they would like to see the Vietnamese Government pay greater attention to the Vietnam-Japan University project to turn it into a symbol of the two countries’ relations.

Chairman Nikai took this opportunity to highly appreciate the contributions of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong during his term of office in the country, boosting the two countries’ ties.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are in Tokyo to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting and visit Japan from October 8-10.

PM lauds efforts of Vietnamese community in Japan in bolstering bilateral ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the meeting with the Vietnamese community in Japan on October 8 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed the solidarity and efforts of the 300,000-strong Vietnamese community in Japan in fostering the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

Meeting the community at the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo on October 8 as part of his visit to Japan to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting, the PM said that 2018 has been one of the best years for Vietnam in terms of socio-economic, defence, and security achievements.

Vietnam has continued to be one of the countries with the highest growth in Asia in recent years, he said, adding that in 2018, Vietnam may enjoy a trade surplus of over 60 billion USD, with export turnover of over 40 billion USD.

In 2019, Vietnam aims to earn an export revenue of 45 billion USD, with inflation below 4 percent.

The PM said that Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has proposed a visit to Vietnam, which demonstrates the important role of Vietnam in the Southeast Asian region and to Japan.

The Government leader also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in Japan will make more positive contributions to the homeland by bringing high technology back to various fields in the home country.

He also showed his wish that the community will foster solidarity and strictly follow the law of the host country.

He asked the embassy to show better performance in citizen protection work, ensuring that Vietnamese people can enjoy all basic citizen rights.

On the occasion, he presented the embassy a certificate of merit in recognition of its attainments in strengthening foreign investment in Vietnam over the past 30 years.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong pledged that the embassy and the Vietnamese community in Japan will complete all tasks assigned by the PM, while fostering solidarity and joining hands in developing the homeland as well as the Japan-Vietnam ties. 

Turkish economic official welcomes NA Chairwoman to business forum

 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and DEIK President Nail Olpak 

President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) Nail Olpak welcomed National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to the country to attend the Turkey-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum during a meeting in Istanbul on October 8. 

Olpak said the forum, held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, attracted nearly 160 Turkish firms, proving their interest in the Vietnamese market. 

He revealed that a delegation of Turkish enterprises will arrive in Vietnam to attend a week of fashion and cuisine in late October. 

Introducing the DEIK’s function and mission, Olpak said the board was established in 1985 in order to monitor the 144 Turkish business councils worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific alone, it has nine business councils in charge of coordinating Turkey’s global business operations and holding responsibility for foreign economic-trade delegations working in the country.

NA Chairwoman Ngan expressed her delight at the development of trade and investment ties between the two countries, especially since the signing of the trade, economic, and technical cooperation agreement in 1997. 

She thanked Olpak and DEIK for working closely with Vietnamese agencies to hold the forum, adding that direct flights between Vietnam and Turkey have facilitated bilateral trade, investment, and tourism. 

The top legislator said the forum affords Vietnamese and Turkish firms a chance to learn about business opportunities in each side, thereby developing bilateral cooperation in the future.

PM pledges to improve business climate for Japanese investors

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Shinobe Osamu, Vice Chairman of ANA Holdings Inc. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed that Vietnam vows to create the best business environment for Japanese enterprises and urged them to expand activities in the country and increase connections with local firms.

Receiving representatives of some Japanese businesses on the sidelines of the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting in Tokyo on October 8, the PM spoke highly of the important role of Japanese companies in fostering bilateral ties and thanked them for practically contributing to Vietnam’s development.

At a reception for Shinobe Osamu, Vice Chairman of ANA Holdings Inc., the largest aviation group in Japan and one of the leading airlines in the world – the PM asked the firm to step up collaboration with Vietnamese carriers.

He applauded ANA’s purchase of more shares of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and its cooperation in training human resources for Vietnam’s aviation sector. 

The ANA leader appreciated the support of the Vietnamese Government, saying that his group has had a good level of cooperation with Vietnam Airlines in recent times and will look to expand it in the future.

ANA is speeding up connectivity projects to make famous Vietnamese localities such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc competitive destinations in the region and the world, he said.

He expressed his wish that the Japanese Government will provide more favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to enter Japan.

Receiving Okada Motoya, CEO of AEON Group, one of the largest retailers in the world, PM Phuc encouraged the group to bring made-in-Vietnam products, especially farm produce and food, to its shopping malls around the globe. He suggested AEON develop a system of large-scale, modern shopping malls and train human resources for the retail sector in Vietnam.

The AEON leader said that Vietnam is an attractive market for AEON and pledged to bring Vietnamese goods to its chain stores in Japan and other countries. He proposed that the Vietnamese Government facilitate the import of Japanese goods to serve Vietnamese consumers and enable AEON to expand investment to the private credit field in order to promote modern transactions.

AEON is committed to increasing social activities such as providing scholarships for Vietnamese students, building schools, and protecting the environment, he added.

While talking to Tasuo Yasunaga, President and CEO of Mitsui Company, PM Phuc said the Vietnamese Government wants Mitsui to increase its investment in infrastructure development, energy including solar power, high-tech industries, and those using artificial intelligence.

The Mitsui leader said he is impressed with the current development of Vietnam, pledging the company’s long-term investment in the Southeast Asian nation. 

Party official: Vietnam fully supports Lao reform

During the talks 

Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Tran Quoc Vuong has affirmed that Vietnam fully supports Laos’ process of reform. 

During a meeting with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane on October 8, Vuong expressed his belief that under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will continue scoring great achievements in the cause of renovation, successfully realising the resolution adopted by the 10th Congress of the LPRP and hold Party Congresses at all levels towards the 11th National Party Congress. 

He expressed his sympathy to the huge human and material losses caused by the hydropower dam collapse in Attapeu province and believed that the Lao people will soon be able to stabilise their lives and restore production. 

Vuong thanked the Lao Party, National Assembly, Government, and Front For National Construction for sending messages of condolences and assigning high-ranking delegations to State funerals of former General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Do Muoi and President Tran Dai Quang. 

Vietnam will do its best to foster and further deepen the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity – a valuable asset of the two Parties and nations, and an important factor to ensure victory in the revolutionary cause of each country, he said. 

Informing the host of the outcomes of his talks with Politburo member, permanent member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee, and Vice President Phankham Viphavan, Vuong vowed to work closely with Laos to effectively realise the agreements reached by the two Parties and State leaders. 

The Lao leader, for his part, believed that under the leadership of the CPV, the Vietnamese people will gain even greater achievements under the cause of renewal, successfully implement the resolution adopted by the 12th National Party Congress, and turn the country into an industrialised nation with socialist orientation. 

He expressed his profound condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people over the passing of former General Secretary Do Muoi and President Tran Dai Quang. He also thanked Vietnam for providing timely and effective support to Lao victims following the hydropower dam collapse. 

The host pledged to foster the Laos-Vietnam special solidarity and pass it down to later generations. 

During the talks with Phankham Viphavan earlier the same day, both sides agreed to continue increasing visits and exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries to share information and experience in Party and political system building, socio-economic development, and global integration; to raise public awareness of the bilateral special relations; to work closely together to maintain political and security stability, social safety, and order; and effectively promote ties in trade, economy, investment, culture, education-training, and science-technology. 

They promised to direct ministries, agencies, mass organisations, and localities to effectively implement agreements reached by high-ranking leaders and the contents reached at the 40th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation. 

Following the talks, host and guest witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction and the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Acting President meets voters in Vinh Long

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (second, right) meets voters in Tam Binh district of Vinh Long

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on October 8 met voters in four communes of Tam Binh district, the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long to listen to their opinions before the sixth session of the 14th National Assembly.

The majority of the voters said they hope the Party and State will continue applying drastic measures against corruption and strictly handle violators.

They raised their concern about the current drug trafficking and abuse which harm social order in the locality. They asked the NA, Government and the province to seek stronger solutions to deal with the trading of fake and poor quality fertilisers, along with problems in food safety and domestic violence.

The voters also proposed that the Government pay more attention to adjustments in wage and allowance for communal officials as well as retired and elderly people.

At the meeting, Acting President Thinh told the voters that so far, the country has completed all 12 socio-economic targets, with four exceeding the goals.

Particularly, Vietnam’s economic growth is likely to reach 6.98 percent, while 39 percent of total communes and 55 districts of 28 provinces have finished all criteria for new-style rural areas.

Noting that in the past nine months, drug-related crimes rose 11 percent in both the number of case and criminals, she pledged that the problem will continue to be settled drastically, aiming to reduce supply, demand and criminals.

Opportunities, challenges in Indo-Pacific region discussed in New Delhi

Delegates at the conference

A conference themed “Challenges & Opportunities for India in the Indo-Pacific Region” was held in New Delhi on October 8 by the Indian Institute of Social Sciences and the Centre for Vietnam Study.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau pointed out challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, while highlighting the importance of the region for Vietnam, not only economically but also in terms of international relations, as most large strategic and economic partners of Vietnam are in the region such as China, the United States, Japan and India. This means challenges to peace, security and development of the region are also difficulties for Vietnam.

The diplomat also underlined bilateral ties between Vietnam and other countries as well as the country’s efforts to expand cooperation with other nations to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and world.

At the event, experts and scholars discussed how India has conducted multilateral diplomacy and identified the prospects and challenges of the concept of “Indo-Pacific” in the larger context of the region. 

They also discussed topics like the situation on the Korean peninsula and emerging challenges.