Business

PM urges even faster reforms to produce business ‘breakthrough’ (29-01-2005) HA NOI — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai called upon his cabinet to make an all-out effort to advance administrative reforms this year and improve the present lukewarm relationship between administrators and businesses and citizens. A breakthrough is needed, he said. Addressing the new year’s first cabinet meeting yesterday, Khai emphasised four important tasks facing his Government this year, including hastening administrative reforms; combating corruption; inspecting and auditing State works; and mitigating waste. While he hailed the achievements of recent reforms, the Prime Minister admitted that progress remained sluggish and unconvincing. This year, he said, must be a turning point for reforms, the year in which bureaucratic annoyances are once and for all removed. The primary focuses of the Government’s administrative reform plan through 2010 are the reform of procedures, the … [Read more...] about PM urges even faster reforms to produce business ‘breakthrough’

Viet Nam an enormous potential market, PM reminds US business (25-06-2005) Prime Minister Phan Van Khai speaks at US business forum in New York. — VNA/VNS Photo The Thuan NEW YORK — Viet Nam should not be viewed through the lenses of the past, but as a friendly partner of American businesses at present and in the future, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said at a business forum in New York on Thursday. The forum was jointly organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the US Chamber of Commerce. The country’s relationship with the US is reflected in the joint declaration, which affirmed developing friendly relations as constructive partners, and long-term, stable and multifaceted co-operation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, made by Prime Minister Khai and President Bush. Viet Nam wanted American entrepreneurs, who have helped America prosper, to be the driving force for creating a long-term, active … [Read more...] about Viet Nam an enormous potential market, PM reminds US business

PM’s visit boosts trade, business with Indonesia (24-02-2006) Prime Minister Khai gives a speech at a business forum in Jarkata yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo The Thuan JAKARTA — Viet Nam and Indonesia have pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries, following Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit to the Indonesian capital on Wednesday. The commitment to strengthen ties and boost economic co-operation was made yesterday at an Indonesia-Viet Nam Business Forum in Jakarta. Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai emphasised the traditional relationship between the two countries, noting that the bilateral ties were a precious asset that helped both nations keep pace with a changing world. In addition to strong political ties, the two countries needed to further bolster their economic relationship, especially in the fields of trade and investment, said the Prime Minister. Viet Nam and Indonesia had similar farming industries, and both … [Read more...] about PM’s visit boosts trade, business with Indonesia

NA Chairman An speaks at Brazil business forum (08-03-2006) National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An presents a picture to the Sao Paulo State Federation of Industries. — VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung SAO PAULO — Two-way trade between Viet Nam and Brazil stood at just US$113 million last year, which is clearly short of the potential, said National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An at a business forum in Sao Paulo on Monday morning. During the meeting, which was co-hosted by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sao Paulo State Federation of Industries, Chairman An, who was on an official visit to Brazil, said Viet Nam had devised a fundamental legal framework and was perfecting the legal documents to facilitate more socio-economic activities. Viet Nam had always created favourable conditions for the development of businesses, he stressed. An said that with Vietnamese businesses, Sao Paulo and Brazil could help enhance economic-trade ties … [Read more...] about NA Chairman An speaks at Brazil business forum

APEC committee plans Busan Business Agenda (27-05-2006) HCM CITY — Representatives of 21 member countries and territories of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) discussed the implementation of the Busan Business Agenda, including investment, transparency, anti-corruption and structural reform during yesterday’s session of the two-day CTI conference. The Committee’s Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) reported the progress in furthering the work programme targeting increased investment liberalisation and facilitation. Canada briefed the Committee on the progress made in implementing the work plan on transparency and anti-corruption, including the development of an approach to undertake the assessment of implementation of the APEC Transparency Standards using the 2005 Individual Action Plan submissions as a basis. CTI considered how it might further contribute to the implementation of the Secure Trade in the APEC region (STAR) initiative. The conference … [Read more...] about APEC committee plans Busan Business Agenda

US businesses urge Congress to grant VN PNTR status (24-06-2006) WASHINGTON — A total of 157 US enterprises, chambers of commerce, business councils and associations are urging Congress to "approve three important trade agreements that promote US economic growth by opening foreign markets for American workers, farmers, and businesses." Among the agreements mentioned in their joint letter sent to Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert on June 21 is legislation granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to Viet Nam. "These three agreements will level the trade playing field, expand US export opportunities, promote the rule of law, and strengthen our foreign policy and national security relationships with critical trading partners," the letter said. The granting of PNTR status to Viet Nam "would enable the US to receive the full benefits of Viet Nam’s impending accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and would advance and deepen a … [Read more...] about US businesses urge Congress to grant VN PNTR status