Granting an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Laos on the occasion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s 55th founding anniversary (August 8), Saleumasay said that Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, and two years later, Laos also became a member of the group. Since then, the two countries have become active members, making important contribution to the bloc's policy and vision making. Regarding the building of the ASEAN Economic Community, he said that Vietnam is a major country and plays an important role in the region, and has relations with many countries, especially great powers, which is also its direct contribution to the ASEAN Economic Community’s important role in the region and the world as well. Since their admission to ASEAN, Vietnam has assumed the role as ASEAN Chair thrice, while Laos will take on the position for the third time in 2024. During these times, both Laos and Vietnam have stressed the central leadership role of … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos contribute greatly to ASEAN Community building: Lao Deputy PM
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PM expects Nhon – Hanoi station metro line to be completed by late 2022
The work so far has advanced by 75%, whose elevated section (Nhon – Cau Giay) has been completed by 95%. The Nhon - Hanoi Station metro line is expected to be completed by December 31, 2022, and contractors are requested to halve the construction time of the underground section, originally scheduled for 2027. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of Hanoi during the visit. Source: VGP Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged to accelerate the metro line construction during a site visit today [August 7]. The Nhon – Hanoi station metro project with financial backing from the French Government, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) has a total length of 12.5 kilometers, running through eight elevated and four underground stations. Prime Minister Chinh and delegations on board a train. A report from the Hanoi Project Management Board of Urban Railway noted the metro line project was launched in … [Read more...] about PM expects Nhon – Hanoi station metro line to be completed by late 2022
PM chairs meeting of National Steering Committee for Comprehensive Finance
Banking services have also made quick progress, catching up with the development of the international market, according to the PM, who is also head of the committee. However, shortcomings still remain during the implementation of comprehensive finance, he said, adding that residents in rural and remote areas still find it hard to access financial sources. Black credit has remained public concern and agencies and organizations have yet to coordinate concertedly and effectively in the implementation of comprehensive finance, the leader pointed out. He noted that the Government issued Decision No.149/QD-TTg on the approval of a national strategy on comprehensive finance by 2025 with a vision towards 2030. The strategy sets out viewpoints, targets, tasks and solutions to accelerate the access and use of financial products and services for all people and businesses, he continued. The issuance of the strategy reflects the Party’s and the State’s consistent policy on boosting … [Read more...] about PM chairs meeting of National Steering Committee for Comprehensive Finance
PM Pham Minh Chinh checks progress of Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway
The meeting aimed to seek ways to resolve challenges hampering the progress of one of the most critical infrastructure projects in Hanoi. Construction of the rail way started in 2008 and was initially planned to finish in 2015. The double-track railway is 12.5km long, with the elevated sections spanning 8.5km and the remaining 4km underground. Only 75% of the work has been completed, with investment doubling to more than 34 trillion VND (over 1.45 billion USD). The Hanoi People’s Committee, consultants and contractors are held responsible for the project’s extended delays, PM Chinh said, adding that there has been a lack of coordination between the municipal People’s Committee and concerned ministries and units. The deadline for the underground parts must be shortened, probably by half of the proposed 2027, and additional funding must not be sourced from ODA but the State budget instead, he ordered. The PM later assigned Standing Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh as head of a working … [Read more...] about PM Pham Minh Chinh checks progress of Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway
Cambodian PM scraps development project threatening wildlife sanctuary
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday cancelled a controversial satellite-city development around a wildlife sanctuary and zoo near the capital following growing online appeals to halt the project. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday cancelled a controversial satellite-city development around a wildlife sanctuary and zoo near the capital following growing online appeals to halt the project. - AFP pic Conservationists and locals began voicing their concerns and objections when the development plan around the Phnom Tamao zoo and wildlife rescue centre came to light several months ago. Developers last week started razing privatised areas around the more than 2,000-hectare Phnom Tamao forest area, an hour drive from capital Phnom Penh, and home to many rare and endangered wildlife including sambar deer at the zoo. Officials defended the development saying the area's land was too sandy for trees and wild pigs destroyed farmers' crops. But on Sunday … [Read more...] about Cambodian PM scraps development project threatening wildlife sanctuary
Cambodia announces outcomes of AMM-55 and related meetings
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn (Photo: AP) Phnom Penh (VNA) - The 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting ( AMM-55 ) and related meetings have successfully concluded, with some 30 documents on regional cooperation adopted, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said on August 6. "We have reviewed the progress made thus far to strengthen ASEAN's community building, advance regional integration, and enhance our cooperation with external partners," he told a press conference. The official said that over the course of three and a half days, 19 meetings were held back-to-back, with the participation of foreign ministers and representatives from 38 countries. On the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the ASEAN foreign ministers encouraged the effective operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies. He added that the ministers also stressed the need to strengthen supply … [Read more...] about Cambodia announces outcomes of AMM-55 and related meetings
Rough waters remain in fuel price pressure
The Government Office last week issued Dispatch No.4648/VPCP-KTTH to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) requiring it to continue proposing a reduction of taxes and fees related to fuel and consumption, especially those that can cause an increase in input costs for production and business. Rough waters remain in fuel price pressure “This aims to help reduce costs and selling prices of products in service of exports, production, and business, contributing to controlling inflation and supporting the government’s monetary policy in the short and medium term,” the dispatch stated. The MoF has also proposed to the government a plan to halve the preferential import tax for petrol and oil from the existing 20 to 10 per cent, in order to help reduce the prices of these items in the local market. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese government has also submitted to the National Assembly a plan on reducing the special consumption tax and VAT for October. According to the General Statistics … [Read more...] about Rough waters remain in fuel price pressure
Defense minister inspects Vietnam Military History Museum’s project and Army Corps 2
During the visit, General Giang directly inspected the construction progress of the project and listened to reports delivered by the investor and the contractors about the results of the first phase of the project. Speaking at the working session with the investors and contractors, General Giang praised the collaboration among relevant agencies and functional organs of the defense ministry to ensure the project’s progress. He underlined that the project is significantly meaningful in terms of history and culture; therefore, he urged the investors to continue disseminating the importance of the project to relevant units and agencies, implementing the work in close line with legal regulations on managing construction investment and bidding, and avoiding wastefulness. Also, the defense minister required the contractors to ensure regulations of occupational safety and the construction’s quality as required. * The same day, General Giang worked with Army Corps 12 (Truong Son … [Read more...] about Defense minister inspects Vietnam Military History Museum’s project and Army Corps 2
US ratchets up origin-tracing on cotton materials
Kenneth Chan, senior director of Market Development at Renze Textile JSC, under Texhong Group, has unveiled a new process to monitor origin-tracing. A tracing system is slated to be put into operation in August for the subsidiaries of Texhong Group, after Chan informed the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association and the American Cotton Association (CCI) at a meeting earlier in June. This US has made major decisions on cotton origin-tracing that affects Vietnam and beyond, Duc Thanh Renze, one of eight Texhong member companies, is using American cotton for its products to ensure product quality and comply with strict requirements for export to the United States and EU. From March, customers were able to access the Texhong cotton tracing system to trace the details of their orders. Chan noted that Renze is focusing on sustainability and transparency. He also informed the company’s partners about key development trends as well as viable solutions for Vietnamese suppliers to … [Read more...] about US ratchets up origin-tracing on cotton materials
South Korean investors lavish attention on Vietnam
The Korea and Vietnam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA) and the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese, along with ministries and localities, last week jointly held two Vietnam-Korea cooperation forums in both the northern and southern regions with the participation of 30 associations and 50 enterprises from South Korea. PM Pham Minh Chinh greets representatives of the RoK's associations and businesses at the dialogue in Hanoi on July 30. (Photo: VNA) The associations and enterprises are looking for investment opportunities in terms of urban and transport infrastructure, hospitals, renewable energy, high-tech, and career training. Previously, in the framework of a conference connecting the northern province of Thai Binh and South Korea in early July by Thai Binh People’s Committee, coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korean Embassy to Vietnam, an investment registration certificate was granted to South Korea’s SMT Company for the … [Read more...] about South Korean investors lavish attention on Vietnam