Vietnam welcomes interim government in Afghanistan


Ha Noi, Jan. 10 (VNA)-- On Jan. 9, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai extended a message of congratulations to Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai.

The PM said in his message that the establishment of the interim government in Afghanistan with Hamid Harzai as the leader was an important start of the process for peace, national reconciliation, and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Construction of software park starts in Ho Chi Minh city


Ha Noi, Jan. 6 (VNA) -- Work on construction of the Software Industrial Park of Ho Chi Minh City National University started in the outlying district of Thu Duc on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The project's first phase is built at a cost of VND 61,467 billion (USD 4.1 million) from the State budget.

In the first quarter of this year, workers will complete the installation of more than 22 km of the fibre-optic cable line linking the park and colleges of the city's university, and equipment and telecom network for the starting and nursing houses.

Vietnamese breeders and traders set up Catfish Club


Hanoi, Jan.7 (VNA) -- Local catfish breeders and exporters decided to set up a club of their own at a conference held in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on Jan. 5.

The conference on catfish breeding and exports was organized by the Ministry of Fisheries.

Participants at the conference said the club would help co-ordinate production and trading and protect their legitimate rights.

Major reforms to maintain foreign investment


Not complacent with a five-year high in foreign investment last year, the Vietnamese government has pledged a series of reforms, including a further cut in costs for foreign investors.

The plan was unveiled by Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia in an interview with Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon)on the special New Year edition.

Vietnam's GDP growth rate of 6.8 percent in 2001


Ha Noi, Dec. 31 (VNA) -- Viet Nam got a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.8 percent in 2001, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

This year's GDP growth rate was 0.1 percent higher than that of 2000 and has been a record figure since 1998.

However, the rate was lower than the yearly planned target of 7.5 percent.

The industry and construction sectors contributed a growth rate of 3.7 percent while the service sector, 2.5 percent and the agro-fisheries sector, 0.6 percent.

Vietnam becomes a dependable investment destination


Ha Noi, Jan. 1 (VNA) -- The picture of Viet Nam's national economy looks brighter as the year is drawing to an end. The country becomes a trust-worthy destination for foreign investors.

It has managed to steer its national economy through severe natural calamities, the challenges of a global economic slowdown in the wake of the events of Sept. 11 and sharp drops in prices of farm produce to register a seven percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in 2001.

Vietnam optimist about export prospect in 2002


Ha Noi, Jan. 1 (VNA) -- Despite Viet Nam's poor export performance in 2001, commercial experts are still optimistic about the country's export prospect for 2002 when they forecast a year-on-year increase of 10 percent to earn between USD 17.3-17.6 billion next year.

They said many export items of Viet Nam have gained a firm foothold in the world market as its export value registered a rise of around 8 percent this year.

PM Phan Van Khai lauded contributions of Catholic community

Ha Noi, Dec. 29 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has lauded contributions by more than 6 million local Catholic followers to the national development in 2001.

The praise came during a New Year meeting between the PM and bishops members of the Viet Nam Episcopal Council in Ha Noi on Dec. 29.

Socio-economic growth in 2001 and targets for 2002

Ha Noi, Dec. 30 (VNA) -- Hereunder are socio-economic gains in 2001 and a number of key targets as set for 2002 by the National Assembly:

2001

- Gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate: 7 percent 7-7.3 percent - Agriculture, forestry and fishery production: 4.1 percent 4.2 percent - Industrial production value: 14.5 percent 14 percent - Total export turnover: 4.5 percent 10 percent

(USD 15.1 billion) (USD 17.2 billion) - Total investment capital for development: 16 percent 17 percent

PM Phan Van Khai optimistic about New Year


Ha Noi, December 30 (VNA) -- On the threshold of the New Year, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai discussed with the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) Viet Nam's social and economic development priorities for 2002.

He said: "The overall objectives of socio-economic development in 2002 are to continue maintaining a high and sustainable economic growth rate; increase competitiveness; restructure production; re-arrange, renew, and develop State-owned enterprises, raising their efficiency; strongly promote the non-State economic sector and attract foreign investment.

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