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Phu Quoc needs to develop its potential, says President (08-03-2005) President Tran Duc Luong visits people living in the southern province of Kien Giang’s Tho Chu Island. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang HA NOI — President Tran Duc Luong has urged authorities and people in Phu Quoc to turn the area into the island paradise it has the promise to be. The island has the opportunity and the natural advantages to become a regional centre for eco-tourism, Luong said. Speaking during a three-day visit to Phu Quoc which ended yesterday, Luong said that the island’s scenic location off the coast of the southern province of Kien Giang and fine weather give it the potential to develop further as a tourism and resort area. The island has abundant natural resources and species of flora, fauna and sea life. Luong asked local authorities and people to develop a harmonious economic strategy in which priority would be given to tourism services. In addition, he said, the … [Read more...] about Phu Quoc needs to develop its potential, says President

Mexican left says VN role model (30-05-2005) MEXICO CITY — Viet Nam’s rapid development is something leaders of the world’s left wing should study and learn from, said the general secretary of the Labour Party of Mexico, Alberto Anaya. Anaya made the comment on Saturday during a visit to Mexico of a Vietnamese delegation from the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Science and Education, led by commission deputy director Bui Si Tieu. The Vietnamese delegation joined 180 delegations from 22 countries worldwide at the 5th international seminar on kindergarten education held by the Mexican Labour Party. At a meeting with the Vietnamese delegation, Anaya recalled his own recent visit to Viet Nam and informed the delegation of Mexico’s socio-economic and political situation as well as the Labour Party’s efforts to build strength and gain public support in advance of Mexico’s general election next year. Tieu expressed the Vietnamese Party’s support for and … [Read more...] about Mexican left says VN role model

Washington visit will deepen ties, says PM (18-06-2005) HA NOI — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has told both The Washington Post and the Associated Press that his forthcoming visit to Washington is intended to deepen the bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the United States. There was great potential for them to develop ties in all fields despite past difficulties and present differences, he said. Khai is the first prime minister of a unified Viet Nam to visit the US and his journey will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He told the reporters that the Viet Nam-US relationship had developed rapidly, especially since their Bilateral Trade Agreement became effective. Two-way trade between the two countries had increased from US$1.5 billion in 2001 to $6.4 billion in 2004, up 20 fold from 1995. In addition, bilateral relations had been developed in science, health and education. There … [Read more...] about Washington visit will deepen ties, says PM

Canada wants to strengthen ties, says Deputy PM (02-07-2005) TORONTO — Canada has affirmed its strong commitment to expanding its multi-faceted co-operation with Viet Nam, says Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan. The deputy prime minister, who accompanied Prime Minister Phan Van Khai during the latter’s just-ended five-day official visit to Canada, gave his assessment during an exclusive interview with the Vietnam News Agency. His assessment was based on: The special welcome given the prime minister’s delegation by the Canadian government; The presence of numerous high-level government and provincial leaders and officials proving their desire to boost bilateral relations with Viet Nam – a presence that had helped raise Viet Nam’s prestige in Canada and the world. Canada’s decision to list Viet Nam as one of its 25 official development assistance (ODA) recipients. The assistance has helped reduce poverty southern Tra Vinh and Soc Trang provinces and during the … [Read more...] about Canada wants to strengthen ties, says Deputy PM

US-VN relations at new heights, says Deputy PM (05-07-2005) HA NOI — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit has raised bilateral ties between Viet Nam and the US to new heights, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said yesterday. Khoan was speaking at a function organised by the US embassy on the occasion of American Independence Day, July 4. The celebrations took place when Viet Nam and the US were preparing to mark 10 years since they normalised diplomatic relations, he said. Khai’s visit, Khoan told participants, helped further develop the friendship and multi-faceted co-operation between the two sides on the basis of equality and mutual respect and for the benefit of the two peoples. The visit would help usher in peace, stability, co-operation and development in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, he said. Khoan expressed sincere thanks to the US Government and people for their warm reception to the Vietnamese delegation. On behalf of the Vietnamese … [Read more...] about US-VN relations at new heights, says Deputy PM

Units, not houses the priority, says planner (07-09-2005) The Khanh Hoi apartments is one of six Sai Gon Real Estate Corporation projects that include residences for low-income earners. — VNA/VNS Photo Van Khanh HCM CITY — The provision of land for stand-alone houses should be stopped in favour of apartments, HCM City’s Architecture and Programming Department director Dr Nguyen Trong Hoa said yesterday. The public servant was speaking at a seminar held by HCM City’s National Assembly deputies to prepare for the legislature’s November session. He was assessing the proposed Housing Bill that will be debated when the assembly sits. "The Housing Law should pay attention to low-income residents and foil land and apartment speculation," said HCM City’s Construction Association deputy chairman Phan Phung Sanh. Sanh said that demand for rented apartments was very high, especially among public servants, low-income residents and immigrant labourers. … [Read more...] about Units, not houses the priority, says planner

Viet Nam gives EU high priority, says Deputy PM (07-10-2005) HA NOI — Viet Nam gives the European Union a high priority in its policy and seeks to pursue a long-standing strategic partnership with the bloc, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan yesterday as he received the European Commission’s director general for external relations, Eneko Landaburu. Hailing the 15th anniversary of Viet Nam-EU diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Viet Nam-EC Co-operation Framework Agreement, Khoan expressed appreciation for the EU’s valuable support to Viet Nam in its doi moi (renewal) and integration process. Khoan later briefed Landaburu on Viet Nam’s development goals in the next five years, particularly the goal to increase per capita GDP to US$1,000 from the present level of $680; put budget spending on social programmes on a par with economic ones; reduce poverty; and push forward with international integration and the opening of the domestic market. Landaburu … [Read more...] about Viet Nam gives EU high priority, says Deputy PM

Deputy PM says accession to WTO will help investments (10-11-2005) HA NOI — Viet Nam’s entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will create more favourable conditions for investment in the country and benefit foreign enterprises including those from the US, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan yesterday. Khoan made this statement at a meeting with the International President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the US-based General Electric Company Nani Beccalli, who is on a visit to the country. Khoan lauded GE for investing in building power plants, aeroplane engine maintenance, financial co-operation and for helping the country train human resources. Welcoming Beccalli to Viet Nam, the deputy PM said the country appreciated the support given by US enterprises for Viet Nam’s bid to join the WTO. GE was expected to participate actively in the upcoming APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) Summit in Ha Noi next year, Khoan said. Thanking the Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Deputy PM says accession to WTO will help investments

New Zealand pledges early WTO entry, says governor (25-11-2005) President Tran Duc Luong and New Zealand’s Governor-General Silvia Cartwright review an honour guard in Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang HA NOI — New Zealand would actively support Viet Nam’s entry into the World Trade Organisation and work to boost friendly relationship between the two countries, New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright said in Ha Noi yesterday. The Governor-General was speaking at a meeting with President Tran Duc Luong at which measures to strengthen co-operation in the spirit of the Joint Statement signed during Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit to New Zealand last May were discussed. The president said the governor-general’s official visit was especially appreciated because not only was it the first such visit but also part of the activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He … [Read more...] about New Zealand pledges early WTO entry, says governor

Former US ambassador says PNTR will also help America (19-06-2006) HA NOI — A bipartisan group of more than 40 US lawmakers from both the House and Senate has expressed support for granting Viet Nam permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), according to a delegation of Vietnamese lawmakers which returned this weekend from the US. Many of the US lawmakers backing PNTR are Viet Nam War veterans, said Vu Xuan Hong, who led a group of Vietnamese legislative leaders to the US during June 12-16 aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and co-operation between legislative organisations. The group held working sessions with 13 congressmen, both Democrats and Republicans, and met with legislative staff and business leaders in support of Viet Nam’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation, as well as with several large US veterans organisations such as the Viet Nam Veterans of America. Former US Ambassador to Viet Nam Pete Peterson has said that granting permanent normal … [Read more...] about Former US ambassador says PNTR will also help America