Government pledges to boost expansion of private sector


HA NOI (December 6) — The Vietnamese Government is working harder to further liberalise its economy to overcome problems private businesses have faced in getting their operations off the ground, a private business meeting was told on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Policy makers at the meeting pledged to work towards speedier reforms for a more competitive, broader-based private sector to cater to local and export markets.

US Ambassador to Viet Nam appreciates BTA enforcement

Ha Noi, Dec. 6 (VNA) -- US Ambassador to Viet Nam Raymond F. Burghardt on Friday described the first year of implementing the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) as being "off to a good start, marking a new era in the US-Viet Nam bilateral relations".

The ambassador made the comment at a press conference at the US embassy Annex in Ha Noi today to mark the first anniversary of the BTA going into effect (Dec. 10), which was just five days before he took office as the mission chief in the country.

Viet Nam's response to Australian PM's remarks on anti-terrorism


Ha Noi, Dec. 5 (VNA) -- All anti-terrorism activities must conform to the United Nations Charter and international law and respect national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Phan Thuy Thanh.

She was replying to correspondents' questions about Viet Nam's reaction to Australian Prime Minister John Howard's recent warning that Australia could launch pre-emptive strikes in a foreign country to prevent a terrorist attack against Australia.

Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson on one-year enactment of BTA

Ha Noi, Dec. 5 (VNA) -- "Viet Nam is willing to cooperate with the U.S. in a constructive manner and with goodwill to settle issues arising in the process of implementation of the Viet Nam-U.S Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)," spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Phan Thuy Thanh said at a regular press briefing in Ha Noi on Thursday.

This will contribute to boosting the two countries' economic and trade ties for mutual benefits, she stressed, adding "Viet Nam has always respected the BTA's spirit".

Viet Nam - EU human rights dialogue held

VIET NAM-EU HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE HELD


Ha Noi, Dec. 5 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and European Union (EU) countries have exchanged views on human rights issues at a dialogue held in Ha Noi on Thursday.

They discussed a wide range of issues related to human rights, including those listed in the agenda of the 57th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The host delegation underlined Viet Nam's consistent policy and drastic measures to protect and ensure the practice of human rights by the Vietnamese people.

Nearly 6,900 new enterprises set up in HCM City

Ho Chi Minh City, Dec. 3 (VNA) -- An additional 6,883 new enterprises had been established in Ho Chi Minh City by the end of November with a combined registered capital of 11,025 billion VND (720.5 million USD).

The figures showed a year-on-year increase of 11 percent in the number of enterprises and 20 percent in capital.

Garment export earnings surging during year-end months

Ha Noi, Dec. 2 (VNA)-- Viet Nam's textiles and garment export earnings in the first 11 months of this year surged to 2.45 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 34.7 percent, according to the General StatisticS Office.

The export value of this staple has continuously increased in year-end months, with the figure in November alone reaching 270 million USD. The 2002 figure is estimated at 2.7 billion USD, or an increase of 36.7 percent over 2001, the highest export growth rate since 1997.

Viet Nam calls for concerted efforts to reduce poverty

New York. Nov. 27 (VNA) -- Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Chau, Viet Nam's permanent representative to the United Nations, called on governments and the international community to join efforts in fighting poverty for social development of all societies, particularly in the developing countries.

Agricultural Restructuring in Vietnam- Some Principal Indicators



1. Uneven restructuring of lines and occupations

Handicapped children benefit from foreign donations

Ha Noi, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- Orphans and handicrapped children in Da Nang and Ha Tay saw international promises become reality last week.

In Da Nang city, a Village of Hope was opened, built and equipped through a 150,000 USD donation from the Unilever group.
Unilever has also provided 100,000 USD to built a school for blind children in the city.

The group, arrived in Viet Nam six years ago, and has granted about 70 billion VND (4.7 million USD) in aid to Viet Nam for humanitarian and social activities.

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