Deputy PM Minh attends CAEXPO in China

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on September 16 attended the 11th China-ASEAN Exposition (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) opening ceremony in Nanning.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minh emphasised CAEXPO is a highly effective cooperative model between ASEAN and China.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is currently being negotiated by ASEAN, China and other partners will bring about tremendous economic benefits for the parties, he said.

The RCEP will greatly facilitate circulation of goods and services through member economies and boost the formation of an integration chain of value in Asia.

He took the occasion to call on ASEAN and China to work closely together to maintain peace, stability and security of navigation in the East Sea.

This year’s CAEXPO has attracted 2,330 businesses showcasing their products and services in over 4,600 pavilions.

Vietnam, the largest ASEAN exhibitor, has around 100 businesses displaying products and services in nearly 200 pavilions; nearly 100 others are participating in meetings and seminars.

China is the largest trade partner of ASEAN while ASEAN ranks third among China’s trade partners.

Last year, two way-trade turnover between China and the 10 ASEAN countries hit US$443.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.9% and 5.7 fold the figure for 2003.

Norway pledges support to Vietnam’s green growth

Norway has committed to supporting Vietnam to develop green growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the challenges of climate change.

The commitment was declared during talks between the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Defence and Security Committee in Hanoi on September 15.

The Vietnamese side wished to continue working together with Norway in bomb and mine clearance, education and training, maritime, energy and the shipbuilding industry.

Both sides stressed the need for the two countries to be more active in sharing their experience in legislative matters to reinforce bilateral ties.

These contents were later briefed to National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan by Anniken Huitfeldt, Chairwoman of the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence the same day.

Ngan spoke highly of the delegation’s visit, describing it as a contribution to further consolidating and developing the solid friendship and cooperation between the two legislative bodies and the two countries in general.

She thanked Norway for supporting Vietnam during the process of nation-building, economic development and international integration.

Vietnam has always held its relations with Norway in high regard, she said, suggesting both sides continue their high-ranking delegation exchanges in order to reinforce political trust and boost bilateral economic and trade ties.

The Vice Chairwoman proposed the Norwegian Parliament encourage more Norwegian businesses to invest in Vietnam in fields of mutual interest, affirming that Vietnam is willing to facilitate smooth business operations.

Ngan also expressed her gratitude for Norway for the official development assistance (ODA) it provided in the fields of education, gender equality, health, the environment, natural resources management, and bomb and mine clearance.

The assistance has been used efficiently, partly helping Vietnam in achieving a number of United Nations Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule, Ngan said.

Vietnam, Cambodia to complete border demarcation

The governments of Vietnam and Cambodia are steadfastly committed to finishing all border demarcation and marker planting work in the near future, signalling a new chapter in bilateral relations.

The statement was made by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Hor Nam Hong and Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh at a meeting in Cambodia on September 11.

At the meeting the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in economics, politics, diplomacy and investment and agreed to target a trade volume of over US$5 billion by 2015.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong emphasised Vietnam-Cambodia cooperative relations have developed well over the years, and spoke highly of effective cooperation among local authorities along the common border line.

President receives RoK’s Agricultural Cooperative Federation Chairman

President Truong Tan Sang received Choi Won Byung, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of the Republic of Korea, in Hanoi on September 15.

The president hailed the chairman’s visit to exchange experience in developing new rural areas and a collective economy with Vietnamese partners.

He expressed his hope that the federation will support Vietnamese organisations in successfully applying the collective economy model through the provision of human resources training and financial assistance.

In response, the chairman said his visit aims to strengthen cooperation on agriculture between the two sides and boost Vietnam’s agricultural exports, particularly seafood, to the Republic of Korea. He proposed the two sides help their countries’ export products gain access to each other’s markets.

Byung also emphasised the role of Vietnamese guest workers in the RoK, regarding them as a key contribution to the country’s new rural development.

VN, Laos step up economic links

The Vietnamese National Assembly has urged its ministries and localities to intensify links with Laos in the fields of economics, education-training and security-defence, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said in Vientiane yesterday.

Hung was speaking to Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong while on attending the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35).

Hung said he valued the Lao PM's contributions to the development of the two countries' relations, especially relating to politics, economics, investment and trade.

The Lao PM thanked the Vietnamese NA for its active support in helping the Lao law-making body host AIPA-35.

He said his country would undertake maximum efforts to consolidate special friendship and comprehensive co-operation with Viet Nam.

Later, Hung attended a meeting of the AIPA Executive Committee to discuss AIPA-35's agenda, the topics for dialogue with observer countries, and the establishment of committees.

VN helps link Russia, ASEAN

Viet Nam was an important co-ordinator between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly since Russia's new "look east" policy.

At an international seminar in HCM City yesterday, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan gave an overview of the current situation and the prospects for developing further co-operation between Viet Nam, ASEAN and Russia.

Russia is developing trade ties with Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. They are working together in fields ranging from economics and defence to culture, education and tourism.

Doan said to date, the achievements between Russian and ASEAN were short of their full potential. He suggested participants review co-operation efforts area-by-area to determine what contributions could be made to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Participants discussed measures to strengthen bilateral relations, including co-operation agreements between Russia and each ASEAN member. Particular focus was put on Viet Nam – one of Russia's earliest economic partners.

Last year, trade between Russia and Viet Nam increased by 12.6 per cent, reaching a total value of US$2.758 billion.

Vinh Phuc team visits S Africa

Representatives from the northern province of Vinh Phuc presented business opportunities to more than 70 South African enterprises at a conference in Johannesburg, one of South Africa's economic and financial hubs.

The event, held last week, was part of a five-day South African visit by a working group from Vinh Phuc, led by Pham Van Vong, member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council.

Charles Manuel, head of Investment Promotion at the South African Department of Trade and Industry, introduced his country's potential as a promising investment partner.

He said the South African Department of Trade and Industry would continue to work closely with Viet Nam's relevant agencies and support South African businesses to build stronger partnerships with businesses in Vinh Phuc and Viet Nam, particularly in the fields of mining and processing.

NA Vice Chairwoman hails Vietnam-Norway ties

Relations between Vietnam and Norway are developing well in all realms, from politics and diplomacy to trade, investment and development cooperation, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan told a Norwegian parliamentary delegation.

Receiving Anniken Huitfeldt, President of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, in Hanoi on September 15, Ngan expressed Vietnam’s desire to increase cooperation with Norway and suggested both sides promote visit exchange and experience sharing to increase political trust and boost economic ties.

She noted with satisfaction the effective economic cooperation between the two countries in recent times, saying two-way trade turnover has hit US$250 million annually, and about 40 Norwegian businesses are operating in Vietnam.

She proposed the Norwegian Parliament encourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam in the areas of their strength and Vietnam’s needs.

Vietnam is willing to create favourable conditions for foreign companies, including those from Norway to invest and do business in the country, Ngan assured her guests.

She appreciated Norway’s official development assistance (ODA) for prioritised areas, such as education, gender equality, health care, the environment, aquaculture, natural resource management, and landmine clearance in Vietnam, which she said have helped the country realize the UN’s millennium development goals (MDG).

For her part, Anniken Huitfeldt echoed Ngan’s view that Norway and Vietnam need to share experience in legislation and strengthen friendship and solidarity.

She proposed the two countries step up cooperation in navigation, energy, and ship-building industry. Norway will continue assisting Vietnam in promoting green growth, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dealing with climate change.

*** Earlier, the Norwegian delegation held talks with representatives from the Vietnam National Assembly Committee for National Defence and Security.

Hosts and guests agreed to exchange information and proposed a number of measures to increase mutual understanding and tighten cooperative ties.

Vietnam calls for further APEC tourism cooperation

Vietnam requested closer coordination between APEC members to develop a smart joint tourism sector built on service, management and marketing, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan said.

In a meeting with the Vietnam News Agency on September 15, Tuan reported on the outcomes of the recently concluded 8 th tourism ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), held in Macao, China.

The Vietnamese delegation proposed collaboration between tourism, transport and education sectors, making it easier to establish direct flights and launch cruise routes. The education sector should encourage young people to travel within APEC, he said.

Vietnam also suggested the creation of a joint tourism website, which introduces each APEC country as a tourist destination and links visitors to the respective official national tourism agencies. A forum for the APEC tourism sector would act as platform for tourists, tourism management, and tourism service providers to interact.

In a bid to promote Vietnam as a tourist destination, participating ministers were informed of Vietnam’s efforts to improve technical infrastructure and the quality of services, whilst also developing new destinations throughout the country.

During the event, the Vietnamese delegation expressed its hope that Vietnam was considered a trustworthy partner for APEC, he informed VNA.

The one-day meeting "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development" discussed the integration of Asian-Pacific tourism markets; the facilitation of transformation and growth; the promotion of intelligent tourism using modern technology; low-carbon development; and cooperation between tourism operators.

The ministers issued a joint declaration at the end of the event, setting out their vision for Asian-Pacific tourism development.

Launched in 2000, the biennial event aims to facilitate tourism exchanges in the region.

Vietnam hosted the fourth meeting of its kind in the central province of Quang Nam on the occasion of the Year of APEC-Vietnam in 2006.

VNS/VNA/VOV