PM’s visit to Laos, Cambodia helps to foster bilateral ties
The official visits made by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Cambodia and Laos from April 24-27 wrapped up successfully, contributing to nurturing the trusted political relations and boosting practical cooperation in all fields between Vietnam and the two countries.
During the visits, PM Phuc and his Cambodian and Lao counterparts discussed many issues, including long-standing problems related to the shared borderline, the Vietnamese community and the promotion of economic and educational cooperation. The two sides agreed on orientations and specific measures to intensify bilateral ties and deal with existing difficulties, reflected through the signing of 13 agreements ranging from transport, trade, education, energy, agriculture to cooperation between their localities.
Prime Minister leaves for 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse. (Credit: VGP)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse left Hanoi on April 28 for the Philippines to attend the 30th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila until April 29.
The PM’s participation is made at the invitation of Philippine President Rodrigo RoaDuterte. The 30th ASEAN Summit, under the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”, is expected to see the presence of leaders of the ten ASEAN member countries. It is the first summit in 2017 under the Philippines’s ASEAN chairmanship.
The summit is set to focus on such priorities as effectively implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and accompanied plans; enhancing ASEAN’s connectivity, solidarity, consensus and central role; increasing the bloc’s relations with its partners; and discussing regional and international issues of shared concern.
RoK National Assembly Speaker pays official visit to Vietnam
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National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) welcomes Speaker of the Republic of Korea's NA Chung Sye-kyun (Photo: VNA)
Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Chung Sye-kyun on April 24 began a three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
As part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic relations, the visit aims to promote the strategic partnership between the two nations. During his visit, Speaker of the NA of the RoK Chung Sye-kyun held talks with Party General Secretary Nguyen PhuTrong, President Tran Dai Quang, and NA Chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
Vietnam’s exports hit US$61.34 billion in first four months
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Vietnam exported goods worth an estimated US$61.34 billion in the first four months of 2017, up 15.4% year on year while imports surged 24.9% to US$64.07 billion, according to the General Department of Customs.
Main exports in the last four months included phones, garments and electronic devices, which brought in US$11.37 billion, US$7.47 billion and US$7.27 billion respectively. Footwear products also performed well, bringing in US$4.17 billion and equipment at US$4 billion, a surge of 38.8%. Seafood exports also posted solid growth at 8.2% to US$2.1 billion for the January-April period, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Foreign investment disbursement up 3.2% in first four months
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Disbursed foreign direct investment in 2017 was estimated at US$4.8 billion as of April 20, up 3.2% over the same period last year, according to official figures.
Meanwhile pledges to new and existing projects rose by 40.5% to US$10.95 billion, reported the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. In the first four months of the year, Vietnam granted licences to 734 new foreign-invested projects worth US$4.88 billion, a 4% drop compared to the same period of 2016, while foreign investors registered an additional US$4.36 billion in 345 current projects. During the period, foreign investors also poured US$1.35 billion in capital contribution and share purchases.
PM approves VND10.2 trillion for social support system
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The prime minister has approved a social support system development programme with total funding of over VND10.2 trillion (US$448.8 million) to be allocated to four projects towards 2020.
Under the programme, social support systems targeting disadvantaged groups, children, drug addicts, sex workers and victims of human trafficking will be established. In addition, the programme will also promote gender equality in society. The programme will help create a safe, friendly and healthy living environment for children, improve social support services for disadvantaged groups and reduce the gender gap in sectors and regions that have a high level of gender inequality.
Various activities in support of labourers during Workers’ Month
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Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Nguyen Thi Thu Hong presents gifts to workers living in difficult circumstances during the launch of 2017 Workers’ Month in Hanoi on April 25. (Credit: laodong.com.vn)
A range of activities aimed supportinglabourersorganised by relevant authorities, trade unions and enterprises are being held during the Workers’ Month, which runs through Maythroughoutthe nation.
Many talks with workers on issues related to salary, social insurance and social housing for low-income people, as well as the need to build amusement parks and kindergartens for workers’ children and the protection of workers’ rights in foreign businesses were also held during the month.
Vietnamese candidate runs for UNESCO General Director chair
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Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau demonstrates his rhetoric in answering questions in both English and French. (Credit: NDO)
Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, Assistant to the Foreign Minister and Special Envoy to the Prime Minister on UNESCO delivered a presentation and attended an interview for the position of UNESCO Director General at the international organisation headquarters in Paris on April 27.
Taking place from April 26-27, interviews were held at a plenary session within the framework of the 201st session of the UNESCO Executive Board for nine candidates, including three women and six men. In 90 minutes, candidates gave their presentations and then answered questions in English or French. Ambassador Chau expressed his confidence and persuasion skills through his programme of action to bring more dynamism and efficiency to UNESCO for peace and stable development.
Vietnamese wins gold at Asian weightlifting champs
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Tran Le QuocToan celebrates his winning at the Senior Asian Weightlifting Championships in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. (Photo: TV screen shot)
Tran Le QuocToan brought home a gold medal from the Senior Asian Weightlifting Championships, currently underway in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Toan participated in the men’s 56kg category and lifted 124kg in the snatch, which was enough to finish at the top of the podium. The Vietnamese then came third in the jerk & clean category with a lift of 147kg. His result in total was 271kg and he won the second bronze medal. Hours later, Trinh Van Vinh won two silvers and one bronze in the men’s 62kg class.
Vietnam pockets two golds at Asian Grand Prix
Bui Thi Thu Thao secured a medal duringthe first leg of the Asian Grand Prix 2017 in China. (Credit: VNA)
Vietnamese athletes won two gold medals on April 24 in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix 2017 in Jinhua, a prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang province in eastern China.
Long jumper Bui Thi Thu Thao won the first gold with a jump of 6.58m jump in the women’s category and grabbed her first title of the year, also the first for Vietnam in 2017. Her teammate Quach ThiLan triumphed in the women’s 400m with a timing of 53.15seconds. Her older brother Quach Cong Lich claimed a silver in the men’s 400m, clocking 47.21seconds. Earlier, Duong Thi Viet Anh came second in the women’s high jump with a result of 1.80m.
