Foreign investors suggest HCM City focus on policy consistency

Mon, 03/22/2004 - 12:32


(03/22/2004 -- 16:58GMT+7)

HCM City, Mar. 22 (VNA)- Tax rates, capital market development and investment licensing were major concerns of foreign investors who requested Ho Chi Minh City authorities to focus on consistency and transparency in policy making at a meeting last week.

“Foreign investors need clear tax laws and regulations with minimal changes and consistent enforcement”, Richard Irwin of Pricewaterhouse Coopers said at the meeting, the second since October 2002 which was part of the city’s initiatives to attract foreign investment.

Foreign companies allowed to purchase shares of joint stock banks

Mon, 03/22/2004 - 12:30


(03/22/2004 -- 17:09GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 22 (VNA) - Wholly foreign-invested companies operating in Viet Nam will be permitted to purchase shares of joint stock banks, said an official circular recently issued by the State Bank of Viet Nam.

The circular stated that foreign-invested businesses are able to buy and hold a maximum of 30 per cent of joint stock banks' statutory capital.

Viet Nam thanks World Bank for help, vows to push reforms

Mon, 03/22/2004 - 12:21



HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has told the deputy chairman of the World Bank, Jemal-Ul-Din Kassum, that Viet Nam is grateful for the bank’s assistance in recent years.

Dung welcomed Kassum’s visit to Viet Nam, where he attended an anti-corruption seminar.

The deputy prime minister told Kassum that Viet Nam will follow four policies as it attempts to become an industrial country by 2020 and double its gross domestic product by 2010.

Govt must set aside more money to popularise VN’s image, policies

Thu, 03/11/2004 - 17:58



Phan Huu Thang, director of the Department of Foreign Investment at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, discussed investment promotion strategies with Quoc Te (International Affairs Review) newspaper.

Q: The promotion of investment does not seem to be as much of a priority as the promotion of trade. Why is that?

A: It’s true investment promotion has not been made a key national programme with the Government’s financial backing. However, investment promotion has always been considered an important initiative by both central and local governments.

Ordnance kills 1, injures 3 in Vinh Long

Thu, 03/11/2004 - 17:55



VINH LONG — One person was killed and three others injured when American War ordnance exploded in the southern Vinh Long Province’s Cai Von town on Sunday.

Iron dealer Dang Van Sang, 40, was killed while he was trying to open the warhead. The explosion also injured his brother in the right arm and left leg, and two others in their eyes. VNS

USD 89 million to safeguard culture of Central Highlands

Thu, 03/11/2004 - 17:53


The rich culture of the 40 ethnic minority groups living in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) will be preserved through a new Government programme.

"The mystery and beauty of the region is a consistent attraction for numerous tourists. Visitors to Tay Nguyen are captivated by the traditional songs, dances, costumes and colourful festivals," said Pham Quang Nghi, minister of Culture and Information.

War shell explosion kills one child, wound two other children

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 11:17

(03/03/2004 -- 22:04GMT+7)

Kon Tum, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Explosion of a shell left over from the war killed a child and seriously injured two others on Tuesday in Play Kan District Town in the Central Highland Province of Kon Tum.

After school, some children from a local primary school were passing a cassava farm when they discovered an old shell. One of them, A Toan, picked it up to play with, thus causing it to explore. Toan died instantly while his two schoolmate companions are now in critical condition.

Economic community should play key role in ASEAN growth, says PM

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 11:15


(03/03/2004 -- 22:38GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Economic community should play a key role, while other two "pillars" i.e. security-political and cultural cooperation should also develop for a strong ASEAN community by 2020, suggested Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on Wednesday.

The Government leader of Viet Nam made the comment while meeting ASEAN foreign ministers on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat.

Viet Nam condemns terrorist attacks against Iraqi civilians

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 10:44


(03/03/2004 -- 20:50GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Viet Nam strongly condemned terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians in Iraq, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung.

He was answering a Vietnam News Agency correspondent's question on Viet Nam's reaction to a series of blasts in Iraq recently, causing heavy losses in lives and property, particularly the anti-Shiite attacks in Karbala and Baghdad.

Helping Agent Orange victims

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 10:32



The demand for helping Agent Orange victims is great, long and diversified. To help them overcome difficulties, illness and integrate into community, it is necessary to raise different sources from the society and choose the suitable way of assistance.

Visiting and presenting Agent Orange victims with gifts on the occasion of Tet has helped them ease their wound for a certain time. The Fund in Support of Agent Orange Victims, under the Vietnam Red Cross Society, has changed ways to help the victims since 2003.

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