1. PM concludes visit to Netherlands
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc concluded his visit to the Netherlands from July 8-11, made at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, and released a joint statement.
The two sides noted with satisfaction the comprehensive and substantive growth of the Vietnam - Netherlands relationship in all areas since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management in 2010, as well as the Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in 2014.
2. President Office announces six new laws approved by NA
NA deputies from Son La province press the button to approve the Law on Foreign Trade Management on June 12, 2017
The Presidential Office held a press conference on July 12 to announce six new laws that were adopted at the third session of the 14th National Assembly last month.
The six laws include the Law on Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises; Law on Foreign Trade Management; 2017 Law on Railways; 2017 Law on Technology Transfer; 2017 Law on Tourism; and the Law on Irrigation, which are expected to create breakthroughs in management mechanisms, policymaking, and promoting operations in the aforementioned areas.
3. National Assembly Standing Committee concludes 12th session
The 14th National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) wrapped up its 12th session in Hanoi, on July 12, under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
The NASC gave its opinions on the adjustment to the beneficiaries of funding sourced from government bonds for the 2012-2015 period of the school renovation programme. The committee agreed to issue a resolution to amend certain contents related to Resolutions No.916 and 1096, including adjusting the level of capital to VND698.704 billion, in order to build 880 classrooms for kindergartens in poor districts, as per the Government’s proposal.
4. Vietnamese economy’s outlook positive, growth projected at 6.3%: WB
Vietnam’s medium-term outlook remains positive, with gross domestic product projected to increase slightly up to 6.3% in 2017, according to a report released by the World Bank on July 13.
Such growth, though lower than the set government target of 6.7%, is a result of buoyant domestic demand, rebounding agricultural production and strong manufacturing, aided by a recovery in external demand. While, inflationary pressures will remain modest, reflecting stable core inflation, lower food and energy prices and diminishing administrative price hikes.
5. Vietnam trade portal launched as one-stop shop for export-import regulations
The General Department of Customs has launched a trade portal as a single place for businesses to learn about Vietnam’s export-import regulations and procedures, the latest effort by the government to realise its commitments in facilitating trade.
The portal, built with the support of the World Bank, features existing trade regulations and procedures, such as laws, administrative procedures, guidance notes, forms, licences, permits and applicable fees, in both Vietnamese and English. It is expected to help improve the predictability and transparency of the trading laws and processes in Vietnam, giving both domestic and foreign investors quick access to the country’s trade rules.
6. Vietnam reaps high results at int’l chemistry Olympiad
The Vietnamese delegation at the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).
Vietnamese students won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) that has concluded in Thailand, which are the highest honours that Vietnam has obtained at an International Chemistry Olympiad.
This year’s competition saw the participation of 297 students from 76 nations and territories. The US ranked first with four gold medals, with Vietnam and China joint second with three golds and one silver.
7. Quang Liem in impressive form at Super GM tournament
Vietnam’s no. 1 chess player Le Quang Liem is performing impressively at the ongoing 8th Hainan Danzhou Super Grandmaster Chess Tournament in China, which gathers the top five Chinese GMs and five others from abroad.
After the sixth round of July 15, Liem joined Chinese Ding Liren and Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk in the group of runners-up with 3.5 points, following his solitary win over Russian Vladimir Malakhov and his five draws against Ukrainian Ruslan Ponomariov, Ding Liren, Chinese Yu Yangyi, Azerbaijan’s Naiditsch Arkadij and Chinese Wang Hao.
